World’s First Carbon-14 Diamond Battery Revolutionizes Energy Storage

Why in the news?

Scientists have developed the first carbon-14 diamond battery, a long-lasting, safe power source with potential applications in healthcare, space exploration, and extreme environments.

World's First Carbon-14 Diamond Battery Revolutionizes Energy Storage

Introduction to Carbon-14 Diamond Battery:

  • Developed by scientists from the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), this is the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery.
  • Uses carbon-14, a radioactive isotope with a 5,700-year half-life, ensuring a long-lasting power source.
  • Short-range radiation emitted by carbon-14 is absorbed by solid materials, ensuring safety and reliability.

Technology and Functionality:

  • The battery’s core is made of carbon-14 encased in diamond, the hardest material known, offering exceptional strength and durability.
  • Operates like a solar panel, capturing fast-moving electrons within the diamond structure and converting them into electricity.
  • This design ensures resilience and efficiency, suitable for long-term applications.

Applications and Benefits:

  • Healthcare: Ideal for pacemakers, hearing aids, and ocular devices, removing the need for frequent battery replacements.
  • Extreme Environments: Suitable for deep-space missions and remote areas, where replacing conventional batteries is impractical.
  • Space Exploration: Provides reliable energy for spacecraft, eliminating the need for recharging or replacing power sources.
  • This innovation represents a significant leap toward sustainable, efficient, and long-term energy solutions.

Carbon-14 Diamond Battery: Key Points

  • Battery Mechanism: Utilizes carbon-14’s radioactive decay, with a 5,700-year half-life.
  • Energy Generation: Captures fast-moving electrons within diamond, similar to solar panels.
  • Safety: Diamond structure absorbs radiation safely, generating low electricity without leakage.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times

Watch on Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/shorts/umUQHluye-Y