UK Engineers Develop 5,700-Year Battery Made from Nuclear Waste and Artificial Diamonds

By Energy & Technology Correspondent

LONDON – British researchers have achieved a breakthrough in sustainable energy with the creation of a “diamond battery” that harnesses recycled nuclear waste to generate continuous power for millennia. This innovation could redefine long-term energy storage for space exploration, medical implants, and critical infrastructure.

How the Diamond Battery Works

The revolutionary power source combines:
✔ Repurposed nuclear graphite (from decommissioned reactors)
✔ Lab-grown diamond layers that convert radiation into electricity
✔ Betavoltaic technology generating current through radioactive decay

Unlike conventional batteries, this system requires no recharging—just gradual decay of carbon-14 isotopes over 5,700 years (equivalent to carbon’s half-life).

Unprecedented Performance & Safety

Early prototypes demonstrate:

• Ultra-long lifespan: Outlasting all existing battery technologies
• Minimal radiation: Weaker than natural human body emissions
• Zero maintenance: Fully sealed, non-toxic design
• Eco-friendly solution: Repurposes nuclear waste stockpiles

“We’re turning a global liability into clean energy,” explains Dr. Oliver Scott, lead researcher at the University of Bristol. “One gram of recycled nuclear material could power a pacemaker for 28,000 years.”

Potential Applications

The technology could transform:
Space exploration: Powering probes for interstellar missions
Medical devices: Enabling lifetime implantable electronics
Remote sensors: Maintaining infrastructure monitoring for centuries
Disaster zones: Providing permanent backup power sources

Challenges Ahead

While promising, scaling faces hurdles:

• Current low power output (sufficient for microelectronics only)
• Regulatory approvals for nuclear material use
• Manufacturing costs of synthetic diamond components

The UK Atomic Energy Authority has invested £4.2 million to advance the technology, with pilot production expected by 2026.

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