China Develops Nuclear Battery Lasting 50 Years, America Shows Concern
China is developing long-lasting nuclear batteries capable of generating energy for decades without requiring recharging.
For over 70 years, the United States had been the pioneer of this technology. The country began developing batteries that utilise nuclear radiation as far back as the 1950s.
However, as the 21st century progresses, that position is shifting. China has now become the most aggressive player in nuclear battery development, particularly in betavoltaic battery technology.
According to Popular Mechanics, Chinese technology company Betavolt introduced a miniature nuclear battery called the BV100 in early 2024. The device, which is only the size of a coin, can operate for up to 50 years without recharging.
This is not merely a laboratory prototype—the battery is already in mass production. Its intended applications are extremely broad, ranging from medical devices and aerospace technology to smartphones of the future.
The technology works by harnessing beta particles from radioactive decay. These particles strike a special semiconductor and produce a small but stable electrical current.
Although the electrical output is not as high as conventional batteries, this technology has a major advantage: an extremely long operational lifespan. Betavoltaic batteries could potentially last up to 100 years, depending on the radioactive material used. Because beta radiation can be stopped by only a thin layer of aluminium, the technology is also considered relatively safe.
The ability to operate under extreme conditions makes nuclear batteries ideal for various future technologies such as planetary rovers, deep-sea sensors, and pacemakers.
China is not stopping at a single innovation. Some time ago, Northwest Normal University in Gansu announced the development of a carbon-14-based nuclear battery claimed to last for an entire century.
To support this industry, China is also beginning to build a nuclear battery supply chain domestically, from raw materials to finished products, mirroring its successful strategy in the solar panel industry.
Meanwhile, the United States is now attempting to catch up. Miami-based City Labs is developing a tritium-based betavoltaic battery for space missions and pacemakers. The battery is estimated to have a lifespan of approximately 20 years.
The company had previously created the world’s first betavoltaic battery called Betacel in the 1970s. However, technological limitations and stigma surrounding nuclear energy prevented the innovation from developing widely.
Now the situation has changed. Several companies in the US, UK, and Europe are beginning to take nuclear battery development seriously again. China’s launch of the 50-year battery last year sent a global alarm through the technology industry.
After more than seven decades since its initial discovery, nuclear battery technology is finally entering a new era. However, this time, the technological race does not appear to be led by the US.