Scientists and engineers from the University of Bristol and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have created the world's first carbon-14 diamond battery, Phys.org reports.
The diamond battery is based on the radioactive decay of carbon-14, which has a half-life of 5,700 years. It works on a similar energy conversion principle to solar panels, but instead of using photons, it uses electrons released from radioactive decay. This process produces low but stable levels of power, sufficient for a variety of applications.
To create the battery, a plasma deposition device was developed that allows diamonds to be grown in a laboratory setting. This technology is used to safely trap carbon-14 in the structure of an artificial diamond, preventing radiation from escaping.
The work on the facility took place at the UKAEA Culham campus, where researchers combined knowledge of fusion energy with innovations in materials science.
The results obtained reveal broad prospects for the use of diamond batteries. For example, they can be used in medical devices such as pacemakers or hearing aids, minimizing the need to change batteries and reducing stress for patients. In addition, such batteries are suitable for use in extreme conditions, including space, where replacing energy sources is often impossible. | BGNES
