China Develops Coin-Sized Nuclear Battery That Could Last 100 Years!

China has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in energy technology: coin-sized nuclear batteries that could last up to 100 years. These batteries, powered by radioactive isotopes like Nickel-63 and Carbon-14, promise to revolutionize long-term power solutions for medical implants, aerospace, and consumer electronics. While the technology shows promise, safety concerns and global competition add complexity to its future.

Technology Overview

The batteries come in two forms:

• Betavolt’s BV100, using Nickel-63, offers a 50-year lifespan and is already in mass production, targeting devices like smartphones and drones.
• Northwest Normal University’s battery, using Carbon-14 with a 5,730-year half-life, could last 100 years, demonstrated by powering an LED for nearly 4 months and integrating with Bluetooth chips.
  Both convert radioactive decay energy into electricity using advanced semiconductors, offering energy density 10 times higher than lithium-ion batteries and operating in extreme temperatures (-100°C to 200°C).

Potential Applications

These batteries could transform industries:

• Power medical implants like pacemakers without surgery.
• Support aerospace missions, from satellites to Mars exploration.
• Enable consumer electronics, like IoT sensors, to run for decades without recharging.
  China is building a full supply chain, aiming for scalability and leadership in this field.

Safety and Challenges

While newer designs, like Betavolt’s betavoltaic technology, are considered safer by using beta particles, historical safety concerns persist. Regulatory approvals and public acceptance, especially for consumer use, remain hurdles, with environmental disposal of radioactive materials also needing attention.

Global Context

The US and UK are also researching nuclear batteries, with UK efforts using carbon-14 from nuclear waste and US companies like Infinity Power exploring electrochemical conversions. However, China’s developments are currently more advanced and closer to commercialization.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of China’s Coin-Sized Nuclear Battery Development

China’s recent unveiling of coin-sized nuclear batteries, with potential lifespans of up to 100 years, marks a significant milestone in energy technology. This survey note provides a comprehensive examination of the technology, its applications, safety considerations, and global implications, based on recent reports and research findings as of May 24, 2025.

Technology Details and Developments

China’s nuclear battery advancements include two key innovations, each leveraging different radioactive isotopes:

• Betavolt’s BV100: Developed by Beijing-based Betavolt, this battery uses Nickel-63 as its power source, offering a stable energy output for up to 50 years. Introduced in January 2024, it has entered mass production, with applications targeting aerospace, AI devices, medical equipment, and consumer electronics like smartphones and drones. The battery measures 15x15x5 cubic millimeters, delivering 100 microwatts of power at 3V, with plans to scale to 1 watt by 2025.

• Northwest Normal University’s Battery: In collaboration with Wuxi Beita Pharmatech Co., Ltd., researchers at Northwest Normal University have developed a battery using Carbon-14, with a half-life of 5,730 years, potentially lasting 100 years. Named Zhulong-2, this coin-sized battery is expected to launch by late 2025 or early 2026. It uses silicon-carbide (SiC) semiconductors to convert radioactive decay energy into electricity, demonstrated by powering an LED for nearly 4 months and integrating with a Bluetooth chip for wireless signals. Its energy density is 10 times higher than commercial lithium-ion batteries, with a degradation rate of less than 5% over a 50-year designed lifespan, and it operates in a temperature range of -100°C to 200°C.

Both technologies harness energy from radioactive decay, offering a compact, long-lasting alternative to traditional chemical batteries, with applications spanning healthcare, aerospace, and consumer electronics.

Applications and Potential Impact

The potential uses for these nuclear batteries are extensive, addressing needs in challenging environments and long-term power requirements:

• Healthcare: These batteries could power medical implants such as cardiac pacemakers and brain-computer interfaces, eliminating the need for invasive replacement surgeries. Their long lifespan and reliability in extreme conditions make them ideal for such applications.
• Aerospace and Space Exploration: Suitable for satellites, deep-space probes, and missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond, these batteries could provide consistent power in remote locations where solar or chemical batteries are impractical. The UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory has also explored similar technologies for space batteries, potentially lasting up to 400 years using americium.
• Consumer Electronics and IoT: Devices like smartphones, small drones, micro-robots, and intelligent sensors could operate for decades without recharging, reducing maintenance and enhancing user convenience. Betavolt envisions mobile phones that never need charging and drones that can fly indefinitely.
• Extreme Environments: With a temperature range of -100°C to 200°C, these batteries are suitable for deep ocean, Antarctic, and interstellar missions, where traditional power sources may fail.

China’s efforts to build a full supply chain for these batteries, as noted in recent reports, aim to ensure scalability and position the country as a global leader in this technology.

Safety Considerations and Challenges

Historically, nuclear batteries faced significant safety concerns due to radiation risks, limiting their use to niche applications like space missions and remote scientific stations. However, recent advancements have improved safety profiles:

• Betavolt’s betavoltaic technology generates electricity through beta particles emitted during radioactive decay, considered a safer and more compact alternative to older thermonuclear designs. Reports suggest these batteries are safe for consumer use, with claims of being able to be handled like conventional batteries.
• The Carbon-14 battery, tested by the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has shown minimal degradation and is designed for long-term reliability, with safety features integrated into its design.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Regulatory approvals for consumer products are a significant hurdle, with questions about compliance with international safety standards and environmental regulations. Public acceptance is another concern, given the association of nuclear technology with risks, and the long-term disposal of radioactive materials poses environmental challenges. These factors could delay widespread adoption, particularly in consumer markets.

Global Competition and Context

China’s developments are part of a broader global race to commercialize nuclear battery technology. While China’s advancements are currently more prominent and closer to market, other nations are also investing in research:

• United States: Companies like Infinity Power have claimed breakthroughs in nuclear battery technology using electrochemical energy conversion, though specifics are less detailed. Research institutions are exploring similar technologies, with a focus on space and defense applications.
• United Kingdom: UK researchers, including the National Nuclear Laboratory and University of Leicester, have generated electricity from americium for potential space batteries lasting up to 400 years. Additionally, UK scientists have developed betavoltaic batteries using carbon-14 from nuclear waste, embedded in diamond for efficiency.

Reports indicate that research institutions in the US and Europe are also working on miniaturization and commercialization under national energy plans, though China’s progress, particularly with the BV100 and Zhulong-2, appears to be ahead.

Future Prospects and Implications

China’s coin-sized nuclear batteries represent a transformative step toward sustainable, long-term energy solutions. With lifespans of up to 100 years and the ability to function in extreme conditions, they could revolutionize industries by reducing maintenance needs and enhancing reliability. The country’s investment in a full supply chain suggests a strategic push to dominate this emerging market, potentially influencing global energy trends.

However, the technology’s success will depend on addressing safety, regulatory, and public acceptance challenges. As global demand for clean, reliable energy grows, nuclear batteries could play a pivotal role, from powering everyday devices to supporting ambitious space exploration missions. The competition with the US and UK may drive further innovation, but China’s current lead could shape the future landscape of this technology.

Summary Table of Key Developments

This table summarizes the core aspects, highlighting China’s advancements and the broader context.