Thousand-year lasting carbon-14 diamond battery a breakthrough

This innovative battery design has the potential to revolutionise energy storage by providing power for thousands of years at a time, making it a remarkably long-lasting energy source that is suitable for a wide range of applications.

The battery operates by utilising the radioactive isotope carbon-14, a material famously employed in radiocarbon dating methods. By encapsulating this isotope within synthetic diamonds, the energy generated through radioactive decay is harnessed to create a diamond battery with exceptional longevity. This is a development of the University of Bristol's previous work on the area.

Where might it be used?

This breakthrough battery technology has the potential to transform various industries by providing a dependable, low-maintenance, and ultra-durable power source, enabling applications that were previously limited by the constraints of conventional energy storage solutions. Here’s just a few examples of where we might see this new technology:

• Medical devices: Bio-compatible diamond batteries could significantly benefit the medical sector. Devices such as ocular implants, hearing aids, and pacemakers could operate for decades without the need for battery replacements. This would not only reduce the frequency of invasive procedures for patients but also lower the risk of complications and improve overall device reliability.
• Space exploration: In space, where battery replacement is impossible, diamond batteries could power spacecraft systems, scientific instruments, and payloads for extended missions. This would reduce costs, increase mission duration, and ensure consistent operation in the harsh conditions of outer space.
• Remote and extreme environments: On earth, diamond batteries could be deployed in remote locations or extreme conditions, such as deep-sea exploration or Arctic research stations, where maintenance and battery replacement are challenging. For example, they could power sensors monitoring underwater ecosystems or tracking seismic activity in isolated regions.
• RF tags for tracking: Active radio frequency (RF) tags powered by diamond batteries could track and identify devices on earth or in space for decades. This technology could be applied in industries such as logistics, aerospace, and defence, where long-term asset monitoring is critical. For instance, satellite components could be tracked throughout their operational life without the need for power replenishment.
• Defence and security: Long-lasting power sources are crucial for military equipment and surveillance systems operating in isolated or hostile areas. Diamond batteries could ensure the reliability of unmanned sensors or communication relays over extended periods.
• IoT devices: In the Internet of Things (IoT), diamond batteries could power sensors and devices that require minimal maintenance over their lifetime, such as smart infrastructure monitoring systems, environmental sensors, or wearable technology for continuous health monitoring.

“Our micropower technology can support a whole range of important applications from space technologies and security devices through to medical implants. We're excited to be able to explore all of these possibilities, working with partners in industry and research, over the next few years,” commented Professor Tom Scott, Professor in Materials at the University of Bristol.

How it works

The carbon-14 diamond battery generates power by harnessing the radioactive decay of carbon-14, an isotope with a half-life of 5,700 years. Radioactive decay occurs when an unstable atomic nucleus releases energy to achieve a more stable state. In the case of carbon-14, this decay emits high-speed beta particles, which are essentially electrons.

These high-speed electrons interact with the surrounding diamond structure, a material chosen for its exceptional durability and ability to conduct electricity. The diamond acts as a semiconductor, capturing the energy of the electrons and converting it into a small, steady electric current. This process is similar to how solar panels generate power by capturing light particles (photons), but instead of external light, the diamond battery relies on the energy released from the internal decay of carbon-14.

The combination of the long half-life of carbon-14 and the diamond's properties allows the battery to provide consistent energy output for thousands of years, making it an exceptionally durable and reliable power source for a wide range of applications.

Sarah Clark, Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA, added: “Diamond batteries offer a safe, sustainable way to provide continuous microwatt levels of power. They are an emerging technology that use a manufactured diamond to safely encase small amounts of carbon-14.”