持續數十年的電池：中國革命性的核電站承諾世界而無需充電

儘管我們中的許多人每天晚上都用來為我們的設備充電，但中國的開創性開發卻承諾了一個持續數十年的電池，而無需單一的充電。

While many of us are used to charging our devices every night, a groundbreaking development from China promises a battery that lasts for decades—without the need for a single recharge. This new technology could revolutionize the way we think about energy storage, with potential applications ranging from smartphones to space missions.

儘管我們中的許多人每天晚上都用來為我們的設備充電，但中國的開創性開發卻承諾了一個持續數十年的電池，而無需單一的充電。這項新技術可能會徹底改變我們對儲能的思考方式，從智能手機到太空任務，潛在的應用程序不等。

China’s Revolutionary Battery

中國的革命性電池

Imagine never having to plug in your phone again. Picture a space probe that operates for decades without maintenance. This is the promise of nuclear batteries, and China is poised to lead the charge. In January 2024, Chinese company Betavolt unveiled the BV100, a miniaturized battery powered by Nickel-63. This battery can last up to 50 years without needing to be recharged. It’s not just a lab prototype either—the production has already begun, with potential applications across industries like medicine, aerospace, and even consumer electronics.

想像一下，不必再插入手機。想像一個空間探測器，該探測器數十年而無需維護。這是核電池的承諾，中國有望領導罪名。 2024年1月，中國公司Betavolt推出了BV100，這是由Nickel-63提供動力的小型電池。該電池可以持續長達50年，而無需充電。這不僅是實驗室原型，而且生產已經開始，而且在醫學，航空航天甚至消費電子等行業之間進行了潛在的應用。

But that’s just the beginning. Another Chinese institution, Northwest Normal University, has announced a battery that uses Carbon-14, which could last a remarkable 100 years. Although Carbon-14 is rare, China has already set up a commercial reactor to extract it, making their vision of a self-sustaining energy future a reality. This strategy mirrors China’s approach to the solar energy industry: controlling the entire production chain to become indispensable.

但這只是開始。另一家中國機構西北師範大學宣布了使用碳14的電池，該電池可能持續100年。儘管碳14很少見，但中國已經建立了一種商業反應堆來提取它，使他們對未來的自我維持能量的願景成為現實。該策略反映了中國對太陽能行業的方法：控制整個生產鏈的必不可少。

A Step Ahead of Global Competitors

領先全球競爭對手

In the face of this Chinese breakthrough, the United States and Europe are scrambling to catch up. It’s worth noting that the first nuclear battery was actually developed in the United States during the 1950s, but fears surrounding nuclear energy and concerns about the longevity of these batteries led to the technology being sidelined for decades. Today, however, City Labs, an American company, is working to revive nuclear batteries, with a tritium-powered model designed to last for 20 years. This project, funded with public investment, primarily targets pacemakers—a life-changing application for those with heart conditions.

面對這一中國突破，美國和歐洲正在爭先恐後地追趕。值得注意的是，第一個核電池實際上是在1950年代在美國開發的，但是圍繞核能的擔心以及對這些電池壽命的擔憂導致技術被擱置了數十年。然而，如今，美國公司（City Labs）是一家美國公司（City Labs），正在努力恢復核電池，旨在持續20年的trip驅動模型。該項目由公共投資提供資金，主要針對起搏器，這是對患有心髒病患者的改變生活的申請。

Europe is also not standing still. Arkenlight, a British company, is working on a nuclear battery made from radioactive waste. Meanwhile, Kronos Advanced Technologies and Yasheng Group in the U.S. have formed a partnership to push nuclear battery research forward. Countries like South Korea and several European nations are also exploring this technology, recognizing its potential role in the energy transition and the expansion of connected devices.

歐洲也不站著。英國公司Arkenlight正在製作由放射性廢物製成的核電池。同時，美國的Kronos Advanced Technologies和Yasheng Group已建立了合作夥伴關係，以推動核電池研究的前進。像韓國和幾個歐洲國家這樣的國家也在探索這項技術，並認識到其在能源過渡和連接設備的擴展中的潛在作用。

While China currently holds a significant lead, one thing is clear: the era of nuclear batteries has arrived. This innovation could redefine how we think about energy storage, with lasting impacts on the way we power everything from everyday gadgets to the most ambitious space explorations in the decades to come.

儘管中國目前擁有重要的領先優勢，但很明顯：核電池的時代已經到來。這項創新可以重新定義我們如何看待能源存儲，並對我們為未來幾十年中最雄心勃勃的空間探索提供持久的影響。