The UK Has Created The World’s First Carbon-14 Diamond Battery: A Revolutionary Energy Source

Here to serve as a new energy source for devices is the recently announced carbon-14 diamond battery developed by Scientists at the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). This battery is a more sustainable source of power, and it has the capacity to power a wide range of devices for thousands of years.

How Does It Work?

To generate electricity, the Carbon-14 diamond battery unveiled by the UK relies on the radioactive decay of the carbon-14 isotope. The process generates continuous low-power energy, akin to solar panels converting light into electricity. Instead of photons, these batteries capture electrons released from the diamond structure, offering a stable and sustainable power source.

Due to the fast-moving electrons present during the decay and the carbon-14 half-life of 5700 years, the carbon-14 diamond battery produces long-lasting power. Speaking on this new battery, Sarah Clark, Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA states diamond batteries offer a safe, sustainable way to provide continuous microwatt levels of power.

Versatile Applications

For its usage, the long-lasting battery life of the carbon-14 diamond battery will be ideal for industries with high power needs: health, space, and security, etc. Bio-compatible diamond batteries could revolutionize medical devices like ocular implants, hearing aids, and pacemakers by minimizing replacements and patient distress. Additionally, these batteries are ideal for extreme environments, from space exploration to remote terrestrial locations, where replacing conventional batteries is impractical.

They could also power active RF tags, enabling decades-long tracking of spacecraft, payloads, or other devices, significantly cutting costs and enhancing operational longevity.

Is The Carbon-14 Diamond Battery Safe For Usage?

Questions on the safety of this new power source unveiled by UKAEA are weighing upon the minds of netizens and industry experts alike. To answer this question, it is important to look at the material used in the manufacturing of the carbon-14 diamond battery.

Carbon-14 used in this battery is a radioactive waste extracted from graphite blocks, a material which is readily available in the UK (nearly 95,000 tonnes present in the region). Leaving carbon-14 to exist on its own is hazardous to the environment and human lives.

However, the production of the carbon-14 diamond battery involves the repurposing of the radioactive carbon-14 to generate electricity. The process used in the repurposing of this harmful material developed by UKAEA not only puts carbon-14 to good use but also reduces the cost of its storage.

When out of use the carbon-14 diamond battery is returned to the manufacturer for safe recycling. This further helps to keep the environment safe from harmful radiation.