TECH

Russian scientists announce atomic battery with incredible 20 years of autonomy

The National University for Technological Research "MISiS" (NUST "MISiS") announces the development of an innovative autonomous energy source - an advanced nuclear battery.
The main feature of the product is the original 3D microchannel structure of the nickel beta-voltaic element. The radioactive element is deposited on both sides of the so-called planar p-n junction, which allows simplifying the element's manufacturing technology, as well as controlling the reverse current that “steals” the energy.
It is argued that the proposed solution, compared to similar developments, allows three times to reduce the size of the element, increase the specific power by an order of magnitude and reduce the cost by 50%. The microchannel structure provides a 14-fold increase in the area of ​​effective conversion of beta radiation.



The product can run for up to twenty years. In addition, the battery can be used in several functional modes: as an emergency power source and temperature sensor in devices used in extreme temperatures and in places that are difficult to access or inaccessible, for example, in space, underwater or in high altitude areas.
Project participants are now completing the international patenting procedure for the invention. More details on the development can be found here.

AVnews