Future smartphones might never require charging thanks to nuclear battery

A Chinese company claims to have developed a battery that can power different devices for an incredible 50 years without requiring a recharge.

Betavolt Technology in Beijing says they’ve led the way in “shrinking atomic energy batteries.” The startup managed to pack 63 nuclear isotopes into a module smaller than a coin. Their first model, the BV100, reportedly generates 100 microwatts of electricity (via Independent).

The nuclear battery pumps out 3V and comes in a compact package, measuring a mere 15 x 15 x 5mm. According to the company, these small batteries can team up in series to generate more power. Betavolt dreams of smartphones staying perpetually charged with a nuclear battery, possibly making your beloved USB-C chargers obsolete down the line.

These batteries harness radioactive decay to produce electricity, a tech akin to what’s used in pacemakers and spacecraft. But folks haven’t really embraced this tech previously because the radioactive elements, such as Plutonium, were considered too risky.

To tackle safety worries, Betavolt is crafting a version of this battery featuring a diamond semiconductor layer and a decaying nickel isotope. The company insists that there’s no radiation leakage and no harmful chemicals involved—supposedly, nickel-63 transforms into copper.

Betavolt assures that its battery won’t catch fire or explode with a nudge, thanks to its layered structure. And it’s no pushover, handling extreme temperatures from a freezing -60 degrees Celsius to a scorching 120 degrees Celsius.

By 2025, the company aims to develop small batteries that can generate one watt. Betavolt envisions these atomic energy batteries becoming the go-to solution for a continuous power supply in various situations—picture aerospace, AI devices, medical equipment, small drones, sensors, and micro-robots. The prototype has moved on to the pilot stage, gearing up for mass production. However, there’s no word yet on when it’ll hit the market.

“The atomic energy battery developed by Betavolt is absolutely safe, has no external radiation, and is suitable for use in medical devices such as pacemakers, artificial hearts and cochleas in the human body,” the company said.

“Atomic energy batteries are environmentally friendly. After the decay period, the 63 isotopes turn into a stable isotope of copper, which is non-radioactive and does not pose any threat or pollution to the environment.”