Big power potential from micronuclear battery
S. Himmelstein | October 18, 2024A miniature and efficient battery developed by researchers in China is not a conventional, every-day source of power. This device is nuclear- and solar-powered and offers scope for keeping its charge on a decades-long basis.
The micronuclear battery incorporates americium 243 isotopes into a luminescent lanthanide coordination polymer crystal that serves as a transformer, changing the short-lived energy of alpha particles into a stable and sustained green luminescence. The crystal is then paired with a photovoltaic cell, which converts the green glow from the irradiated crystal into electricity. Encasement of the device inside a quartz cell prevents radiation leakage.
During tests reported in the journal Nature, the micronuclear battery generated a steady output of electricity and proved to be more than 8,000 times more efficient than previous designs. A power conversion efficiency of 0.889% and a power per activity of 139 microwatts per curie were recorded; the researchers intend to increase these parameters through continued material and structural improvements.
“Ideally, we envision our micronuclear battery being used to power miniature sensors in remote or challenging environments where traditional power sources are impractical, like deep-sea exploration, space missions or remote monitoring stations,” noted the researchers.