The battery leverages the radioactive isotope, carbon-14, known for its use in radiocarbon dating, to produce a diamond battery. Several game-changing applications are possible.
What is the world's first carbon-14 Diamond battery?
Press release issued: 4 December 2024 Scientists and engineers from the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and have successfully created the world's first carbon-14 diamond battery. This new type of battery has the potential to power devices for thousands of years, making it an incredibly long-lasting energy source.
New battery lasts thousands of years Scientists and engineers from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the University of Bristol have successfully created the world's first carbon-14 diamond battery. This new type of battery has the potential to power devices for thousands of years, making it an incredibly long-lasting energy source.
Is a carbon-14 Diamond battery safe?
Carbon-14's short-range radiation, safely encased within a diamond, makes this battery both safe and highly durable. Image shows diamond battery sample. Scientists from the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have successfully developed the world's first carbon-14 diamond battery.
How does a carbon-14 battery work?
How does it work? The battery uses carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon, which has a half-life of 5,700 years meaning the battery will still retain half of its power even after thousands of years. The prototype batteries are 10mm x 10mm with a thickness of up to 0.5mm.
Could the world's first carbon-14 Diamond battery be used for medical devices?
The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) in Culham, Oxfordshire, collaborated with the University of Bristol to make the world's first carbon-14 diamond battery. Scientists say it could be used with medical devices like ocular implants, hearing aids and pacemakers, minimising the need for replacements.
How does a 14 C Battery work?
In December 2024, the University of Bristol announced that they had successfully created a battery using 14 C. The battery functions in a way similar to a photocell, but capturing electrons instead of light within the diamond.