Chinese scientists are using americium to produce ultra-compact nuclear batteries that could one day replace lithium batteries
Scientists from several Chinese institutions have unveiled a new ultra-compact nuclear battery that has the potential to replace existing energy sources used in everyday technology.
Powered by Americium, this new battery reportedly achieves energy conversion efficiency up to 8,000 times greater than previous models, suggesting it could one day serve as a replacement for conventional lithium batteries.
These micronuclear energy sources generate electricity by utilizing the radioactive decay of radioisotopes, producing small-scale energy typically measured in nanowatts or microwatts. Unlike chemical batteries, their lifespan depends on the half-life of the radioisotope used. Americium, and particularly the isotopes 241Am and 243Am, have an operational lifespan of decades, suggesting it could provide a long-term energy solution.
Deep space exploration
Traditional micronuclear batteries have faced challenges with low energy efficiency due to severe self-adsorption during alpha decay. To address this problem, the Chinese research team has developed a new architecture that integrates 243Am into a luminescent lanthanide coordination polymer.
By combining this new design with a photovoltaic cell to convert autoluminescence into electricity, the radiophotovoltaic micronuclear battery achieves an energy conversion efficiency of 0.889%, yielding 139 microwatts per curie. Although the power output remains small, the potential for a long-term, maintenance-free energy supply is significant.
The resilience of this battery is remarkable, as radioactive decay remains consistent regardless of environmental factors such as temperature or pressure. This stability ensures a reliable power source under challenging conditions.
The technology is still in its early stages and requires further development before widespread adoption is feasible. However, the team suggests that initial applications for the americium-based nuclear battery could focus on small, remote devices, especially in space exploration, where replacing conventional batteries is impractical.
The research results have been published in the journal Nature.