China Introduces 'Zhulong' C-14 Nuclear Battery Expected to Last 5,730 Years
A significant advancement in micro-nuclear technology provides sustainable energy solutions for multiple uses.
Chinese researchers have introduced 'Zhulong', the country's pioneering carbon-14 nuclear battery.
Created by Northwest Normal University in Lanzhou and Wuxi Beita Pharmatech in Jiangsu, this innovative battery harnesses the decay of carbon-14—a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,730 years—to produce electricity.
It functions by capturing beta particles released during carbon-14 decay within a silicon-carbide semiconductor, leading to a steady flow of electrons.
This design promises a potentially long operational lifespan, making it ideal for uses in polar and deep-sea exploration, as well as aerospace endeavors.
The battery has achieved a short-circuit current of 282 nanoamperes, an open-circuit voltage of 2.1 volts, and a peak output power of 433 nanowatts, with an energy conversion efficiency of 8 percent.
When combined with energy storage modules, 'Zhulong' effectively powered a Bluetooth radio-frequency chip for both signal transmission and reception.
Moreover, an LED light powered by 'Zhulong' has operated uninterrupted for nearly four months, producing over 35,000 pulse flashes.
The battery's design boasts zero emissions and an energy density tenfold that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
It can endure extreme temperatures ranging from -100 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius. Professor Su Maogen, who heads the research team at Northwest Normal University, noted that 'Zhulong' could function as a permanent energy source for medical implants, sensors related to the Internet of Things, and devices designed for extreme conditions, including lunar and Martian missions.
This advancement is part of China's wider ambition to achieve self-sufficiency in carbon-14 production. In April 2024, the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, operated by China National Nuclear Power Company Limited, successfully extracted carbon-14 targets from its pressurized heavy water reactor.
This accomplishment marked China's inaugural large-scale production of carbon-14 from a commercial nuclear power reactor, effectively reducing reliance on imports and establishing a comprehensive domestic supply chain.
The research team is actively working with Wuxi Beita Pharmatech to create the second-generation prototype, 'Zhulong 2,' which will incorporate entirely enclosed carbon-14 micro-nuclear cells. Testing of this new variant is expected to begin by year’s end.
Created by Northwest Normal University in Lanzhou and Wuxi Beita Pharmatech in Jiangsu, this innovative battery harnesses the decay of carbon-14—a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,730 years—to produce electricity.
It functions by capturing beta particles released during carbon-14 decay within a silicon-carbide semiconductor, leading to a steady flow of electrons.
This design promises a potentially long operational lifespan, making it ideal for uses in polar and deep-sea exploration, as well as aerospace endeavors.
The battery has achieved a short-circuit current of 282 nanoamperes, an open-circuit voltage of 2.1 volts, and a peak output power of 433 nanowatts, with an energy conversion efficiency of 8 percent.
When combined with energy storage modules, 'Zhulong' effectively powered a Bluetooth radio-frequency chip for both signal transmission and reception.
Moreover, an LED light powered by 'Zhulong' has operated uninterrupted for nearly four months, producing over 35,000 pulse flashes.
The battery's design boasts zero emissions and an energy density tenfold that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
It can endure extreme temperatures ranging from -100 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius. Professor Su Maogen, who heads the research team at Northwest Normal University, noted that 'Zhulong' could function as a permanent energy source for medical implants, sensors related to the Internet of Things, and devices designed for extreme conditions, including lunar and Martian missions.
This advancement is part of China's wider ambition to achieve self-sufficiency in carbon-14 production. In April 2024, the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, operated by China National Nuclear Power Company Limited, successfully extracted carbon-14 targets from its pressurized heavy water reactor.
This accomplishment marked China's inaugural large-scale production of carbon-14 from a commercial nuclear power reactor, effectively reducing reliance on imports and establishing a comprehensive domestic supply chain.
The research team is actively working with Wuxi Beita Pharmatech to create the second-generation prototype, 'Zhulong 2,' which will incorporate entirely enclosed carbon-14 micro-nuclear cells. Testing of this new variant is expected to begin by year’s end.