Scientists create diamond battery that can last thousands of years

According to a University of Bristol press release, a team of scientists and engineers have made a significant breakthrough, successfully creating the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery.

Based on the same radioactive isotope used in carbon dating, the new battery technology harnesses the radioactive decay of carbon-14, which emits a low level of energy for an extremely long time. It works like solar panels (which convert light into electricity) except instead of capturing photons (light particles), the diamond battery captures fast-moving electrons from the diamond’s structure.

Sarah Clark, director of tritium fuel cycle at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), says “diamond batteries offer a safe and sustainable solution for continuous microwave power. The battery is made from an artificial diamond that safely encloses small amounts of carbon-14.”

Diamond batteries could have a range of potential applications, including medical technology (to power devices like pacemakers, hearing implants, and prosthetic eyes without the need for battery changes), in extreme environments (like space and the deep sea, where it’s impractical to change batteries), and for tags to track cargo or spacecraft.

This new tech is unlikely to apply to phones, laptops, smart homes, electric vehicles — you know, all the usual stuff that we look to for long-lasting batteries and infinite recharge cycles. But it’s impressive and fascinating. Who knows what else could come of it?

Further reading: Researchers discover a simple way to make rechargeable lithium-ion batteries last much longer