A new type of battery is arriving: the nuclear battery

The nuclear battery that can last 50 years without needing to be recharged. An old techno dream from the 1960s is becoming a reality.

Here is a very innovative new technology that is emerging: a nuclear battery, capable of lasting decades without being recharged. Mathilde Fontez, editor-in-chief of the magazine Epsilontells us more.

franceinfo: what does this future nuclear battery look like?

Mathilde Fontez : This is a tiny nuclear generator, no bigger than a coin. This is, from the outset, a little scary. We wonder how we can concentrate all the complexity of a nuclear device in a battery. We think of Iron Man and the generator that gives him his superpowers. We also remember Captain Flam’s watch who blew up armored doors with it!

But this is very real: dozens of laboratories around the world are working on the concept. Also start-ups: Diamfab, in France, in connection with the CEA and the company STMicroelectronics, the Chinese company Betavolt Technology, the Californian Infinity Power supported by the American Department of Defense. In short, it’s serious.

Can we imagine a mini portable nuclear power plant without risk?

In fact, it is not the same principle. In these batteries, there is no nuclear fission as in power plants, and therefore no risk of chain reaction or runaway. The idea is to use the decay of a radioactive material. This emits beta particles (electrons) which can be recovered and transformed into electricity. Hence the name of the battery: beta voltaic. This process is slow, the decay can provide power for decades. One of the prototypes promises 50 years of autonomy, with a few milligrams of radioactive Nickel-63. Please note, this will only be for small powers, the technology is limited to a few microwatts. There will be no nuclear-powered car, but why not underwater sensors, minisatellites or drones.

Are such batteries already on sale?

Not yet, but some laboratories are announcing a start of production this year, in 2025. The question is starting to arise around the safety of these batteries. Even if there is no risk of runaway, they still contain radioactive material and emit radiation. It will therefore be necessary to ensure the security of their shielding. And then, what about proliferation and regulation? All these questions are open. Without counting on the acceptance of such technology by the public: would you be ready to wear a watch that runs on Nickel-63?