This New Diamond Batteries Developed From Nuclear Waste Can Last For 5000 Years
Researches discovered how to develop a power source — that could last 5000 years — from nuclear waste.
Scientists from the University of Bristol, UK, claimed to have discovered a way to turn nuclear waste into radioactive black diamond batteries which have a life of over 5000 years.
They discovered a method by heating graphite blocks, which then gives off the radioactive carbon as a gas, which is then gathered and turned into the radioactive by using a high temperature chemical reaction. Through this chemical reaction, carbon atoms are left on the surface in small, dark diamond crystals.
It was found that these diamonds can produce a small electrical charge when they are placed near a radioactive source.
The newly created radioactive diamonds, the surface of which emit less radiation than a single banana, are then encased within a layer of non-radioactive diamond, to make them safe to handle.
The researchers have claimed that this method could create a battery which would be capable of generating clean electricity for as long as human civilization has existed.
The team has already demonstrated a prototype diamond battery using Nickel-63, but researchers said carbon-14 will make a more effective radiation source.
Plans are in place for the first carbon-14 batteries to be created in the New Year, which would deliver an electrical charge of just 300 joules each day, compared with a standard and commonly used AA battery which outputs 14,000 joules per day.
This could be an energy friendly alternative to current batteries, with interests from scientists at NASA, as well as technology firms which would use them for internet devices.
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