In a breakthrough that edges us closer to a true “set-it-and-forget-it” power era, Chinese researchers and companies have introduced a miniature nuclear battery the size of a coin that promises years—and even decades—of continuous output without ever needing a recharge.
The device, developed by firms including Betavolt and a research team at Northwest Normal University in collaboration with Wuxi Beita Pharmatech Co., Ltd., uses radioactive isotopes (such as nickel-63 or carbon-14) paired with advanced semiconductors to convert radiation directly into electricity.
According to the companies and published reports, the battery can:
Generate a steady output of around 100 microwatts at 3 volts for the first generation model.
Last for up to 50 years (in some projections even up to 100 years) without maintenance or recharging.
Operate in extreme temperature ranges (−100 °C to +200 °C) and offer much higher energy density compared to many conventional lithium-ion cells (in the order of 10× in some claims) for particular use-cases.
Be manufactured in a modular “coin‐cell” style size (approx. 15 × 15 × 1.5 mm in early prototype versions) making it compact enough for miniaturised devices.
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How it works
Rather than generating heat (as in traditional nuclear reactors), this battery uses betavoltaic conversion—beta particles (electrons) emitted by a slowly decaying radioactive isotope strike a semiconductor absorber and produce electricity.
For example:
In the BV100 model by Betavolt, nickel-63 is the emitter, sandwiched between ultra-thin diamond or silicon-carbide semiconductor layers.
In the “Zhulong‐1” model from Wuxi Beita & Northwest Normal University, a carbon-14 emitter is paired with silicon-carbide semiconductor.
Because the decay process is extremely slow and controlled, and because the beta particles are easily shielded (for example a thin sheet of aluminium can contain them), the developers claim the technology is safe for many applications.
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Why it matters
Longevity: Devices that now rely on frequent battery replacements—such as remote sensors, implanted medical devices, or satellites—could instead run maintenance-free for decades.
Reliability in harsh environments: Extreme cold or heat, deep sea, polar regions or space—all these settings challenge conventional batteries. This technology offers robust performance where change or recharging is impractical.
Miniaturisation of power: By condensing long-term power into a tiny footprint, new applications become feasible—micro-robots, wireless sensor nodes, smart dust, implanted electronics, etc.
Reduced “charging fatigue”: For consumer electronics (in the long run) this could shift the paradigm from “plug in and recharge” to “install and forget”.
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What are the limitations (and what to watch)?
While the promise is huge, there are important caveats to keep in mind:
Power output is very low: The early coin-sized versions produce only ~100 µW at 3 V—enough for very low-power devices (like sensors or implants), but far below what a smartphone or standard laptop requires.
Scalability and cost: To power higher-demand devices, many cells would need to be stacked or combined, which may raise cost, size, and complexity.
Regulation & safety: Although shielding is claimed to be effective, public acceptance, regulatory approval, and safe end-of-life disposal remain non-trivial.
Commercial readiness: Some versions are already in pilot or initial production stages, but widespread consumer adoption will take time and further engineering.
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What’s next?
According to the developers:
Betavolt plans a higher-power version (~1 watt) later in 2025, which would open up more mainstream-device applications.
Wuxi Beita and Northwest Normal University are working on “Zhulong-2” which will be smaller (coin-sized) and aim to reduce production cost and size.
The technology is expected to expand into sectors such as medical implants (pacemakers, brain-computer interfaces), Internet of Things networks, aerospace and space exploration.
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Conclusion
China has clearly marked a bold milestone in power-technology by introducing a coin-sized nuclear battery promising decades of continuous output without recharging. While it won’t replace your everyday phone charger tomorrow, the implications for long-life, maintenance-free, compact power sources are profound.
For now, this battery is set to transform niche applications—remote sensors, implants, extreme-environment systems—but if and when the technology scales, we may one day live in a world where our gadgets simply “run forever”. The age of charging cables may be closer than we thought.