Nuclear Batteries
This morning, I watched my kids rip open their Christmas gifts
Wrapping paper flew. Its remnants accumulated in every corner of the room.
After the initial chaos, the toys lined up proudly, the kids were anxious to start playing with them. I had a fresh cup of coffee in hand and was about to sit back and relax.
That is when my son held up a new treasure and uttered those dreaded words…
“Dad, do you have any batteries?”
When I was a kid, we didn’t need batteries, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots delivered hours of fun without them. Matchbox cars used gravity. Electronic stuff all had plugs for the wall.
But nowadays, no Christmas is complete without a hefty supply of batteries. If your home is anything like mine, you have that drawer. You know, the one you open with fingers crossed, hoping you will find enough batteries in the right sizes to save the day.
Never change a battery again!
Battery longevity is a critical issue for many emerging technologies. I’m sure we have expired Lithium-Ion batteries from a vacuum, camera, or leaf blower laying around. Once those batteries die, you must shell out big bucks to replace them or the tool is dead.
Cell phones and electric vehicles (EVs) are pushing battery technology further, faster. Battery life limits these technologies, particularly EVs.
What if I told you there was a battery that lasted a lifetime.
Oddly enough Nuclear Energy may be how we get there. The Nano Diamond Battery (NDB) is emerging technology for long-lasting, maintenance-free power. Combining the principles of nuclear physics and materials science, this futuristic battery has the potential to revolutionize energy storage for specialized applications.
What is a Nano Diamond Battery?
An NDB is an ingenious way of recycling nuclear waste into something useful. According to Digital Trends,
… radioactive elements are extracted from nuclear waste and encased in diamonds using chemical vapor deposition. The diamond then acts as a transducer to transform the radiation into electricity.
The key principle behind this technology is beta decay. As radioactive isotopes decay, they emit beta particles (high-energy electrons). When these particles interact with the diamond, an electric current is generated, which can be harvested to power devices.
Advantages
- NDB’s have an exceptionally long lifespan. These batteries can function for decades or even centuries.
- These batteries are compact and require no maintenance, making them ideal for use in environments where batteries cannot be easily accessed.
- By utilizing waste radioactive materials, NDB’s offer a sustainable solution to repurpose nuclear waste.
Applications
I may not be putting a nuclear battery in my kids Christmas toy but there will be applications where such an energy source will be of terrific value. NDB’s are particularly suited for specific niche applications, including:
- Medical Devices: Pacemakers and other implants require reliable, long-lasting power to minimize invasive replacement surgeries.
- Space Exploration: In space missions, where solar power is not always available, these batteries can provide a continuous power source for spacecraft, satellites, and rovers.
- IoT Devices and Sensors: Internet of Things (IoT) devices often operate in remote or hard-to-access locations. Nuclear diamond batteries can keep them running for decades without the need for replacement.
- Military and Defense: Equipment in remote or high-risk areas can benefit from a long-lasting, maintenance-free energy source.
Challenges
While nuclear diamond batteries offer incredible potential, they are not without challenges:
- These batteries produce relatively small amounts of energy.
- The high cost to produce these batteries.
- The use of radioactive materials raises concerns about safety.
The Battery of the Future
Despite the challenges, research and development in nuclear diamond battery technology are progressing rapidly. Companies and institutions worldwide are exploring ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and expand the range of applications. If successful, this technology could redefine energy storage, particularly for long-term and specialized use cases.
The nuclear diamond battery combines advanced technology with innovative engineering, hinting at a future of limitless power. While it won’t be powering your Christmas toys anytime soon, its potential to address specific energy needs is immense, representing a groundbreaking leap toward sustainable and innovative energy solutions.For the Good and Merry Christmas,
Michael Nichols
Numbers You Need to Know
3 Billion
Each year, Americans throw away more than 3 billion batteries, totaling 180,000 tons of hazardous waste. (Heal the Planet)
8,500 megawatt-hours
Less than 1 Millimeter
Researchers from Germany’s Chemnitz University of Technology have engineered a battery significantly less than one square millimeter across. The on-chip battery still has a minimum energy density of 100 microwatt hours. (Electronics 360)
What’s New in Sustainable Investing
Most asset managers still rosy on sustainable investing
Fewer are calling their strategies “ESG,” but fund companies and institutional investors told US SIF they see the category growing over the next couple years. (Investment News)
House Judiciary Committee sends letters to investment firms tied to ‘woke ESG cartel
The House Judiciary Committee took aim at a group of US asset managers over their involvement with a “woke ESG cartel” adding pressure against environmental efforts by large investors (New York Post)
Video Of The Week
Diamonds are forever? Making The World’s First Carbon 14 Diamond Battery
Scientists and engineers from the UK Atomic Energy Authority and the University of Bristol have successfully created the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery.
