Chinese scientists at Northwest Normal University in Gansu province have developed the world’s first carbon-based nuclear battery, Zhulong-1, capable of lasting over 100 years without recharging. This innovative battery uses carbon-14, a radioactive isotope, to generate electricity, offering groundbreaking potential for powering pacemakers, spacecraft, and devices in extreme environments like the deep sea and polar regions, according to CGTN, Inspenet reports.
The battery’s long lifespan is attributed to the 5,730-year half-life of carbon-14, making it durable enough to function well beyond its designed 50-year life. Zhulong-1’s eco-friendly, low-carbon properties could also play a crucial role in China’s renewable energy sector.
Zhulong-1 operates in extreme temperatures ranging from -100°C to 200°C and features an energy density 10 times higher than lithium-ion batteries, with less than 5% degradation over 50 years. This makes it ideal for use in medical technologies, space exploration, and remote locations like Antarctica. The researchers are also developing a miniaturized version, Zhulong-2, expected to be the size of a coin and released soon.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
