China Unveils Breakthrough in Energy Technology with Miniaturized Nuclear Batteries

In January 2024, Beijing-based company Betavolt introduced the BV100, a coin-sized battery powered by Nickel-63, capable of lasting up to 50 years without requiring a recharge.

China has unveiled a breakthrough in energy technology with the development of miniaturised nuclear batteries that could transform the future of energy storage.

In January 2024, Beijing-based company Betavolt introduced the BV100, a coin-sized battery powered by Nickel-63, capable of lasting up to 50 years without requiring a recharge. Production is already underway, with applications ranging from aerospace and medical devices to consumer electronics.

Now, further advancing this domain, Northwest Normal University has announced a new nuclear battery powered by Carbon-14, boasting an even more impressive potential lifespan of up to 100 years.

Despite the rarity of Carbon-14, China has already established a commercial reactor to extract it, signalling its ambition to dominate not only the production but also the entire supply chain of nuclear batteries. This follows a similar strategy that saw China become a dominant player in solar panel production.

While China appears to be leading the way, other global players are working to close the gap. In the U.S., City Labs is developing a tritium-based nuclear battery with a 20-year life, initially targeting medical use. Britain's Arkenlight is working on a battery made from nuclear waste, while American firms Kronos Advanced Technologies and Yasheng Group have partnered to expand nuclear battery research. Several European and Asian nations are also exploring similar technologies.

Although the concept of nuclear batteries dates back to the 1950s in the United States, widespread use was delayed by safety and longevity concerns. However, today those barriers are being reassessed in light of growing demand for longer-lasting, sustainable energy sources.

As China currently holds both a technological and production lead, experts suggest that the global energy landscape could be reshaped as these innovations mature.

Once considered a niche idea, nuclear batteries now offer a promising long-term solution for powering everything from medical implants to deep space missions. Several nations are investing heavily in this domain, and the pace of development is expected to accelerate further in the coming years.