While the rest of the world is busy topping up their phones overnight, China is quietly rewriting energy rules. In a development that sounds more like science fiction than science fact, Chinese researchers have introduced a nuclear battery small enough to fit on a coin—yet powerful enough to run for up to a century without a single recharge.
A Revolution in the Palm of Your Hand
The tech world was jolted in January 2024 when Betavolt, a Chinese startup, unveiled the BV100: a miniaturized nuclear battery powered by Nickel-63. Capable of running continuously for 50 years, the BV100 has already entered production, with China eyeing applications from pacemakers and industrial sensors to aerospace and defense systems. Notably, Betavolt claims it’s safe, solid-state, and free from radiation leakage—bold claims that, if validated, could mark a seismic shift in portable power.
But that wasn’t the end. Just months later, Northwest Normal University announced another nuclear battery, using Carbon-14 as the radioactive source. Its longevity? A jaw-dropping 100 years. China has built a commercial facility to extract Carbon-14 to support this development, effectively securing its position at the forefront of this new energy race.
This aggressive vertical integration strategy mirrors China’s previous playbook in the solar energy sector, where it now dominates global manufacturing.
West Playing Catch-Up
While China charges ahead, the West is scrambling to close the gap. It’s a bitter irony that nuclear battery technology was first pioneered in the United States in the 1950s. Concerns over radiation and a lack of commercial vision shelved the idea for decades.
Now, American companies like City Labs are attempting a comeback: their tritium-powered battery, designed to last up to 20 years, targets medical devices like pacemakers. Though promising, it’s still a niche project heavily reliant on public funding.
In Europe, startups like Arkenlight are experimenting with turning nuclear waste into compact energy sources. Meanwhile, U.S. firms Kronos Advanced Technologies and Yasheng Group have joined forces to develop next-gen nuclear power solutions, though they remain far from commercial rollout.
A Nuclear-Powered Future?
Nuclear batteries offer a tantalizing alternative to the status quo of lithium-ion packs and daily charging rituals. With no moving parts, no recharging requirements, and the potential to run for decades, they could revolutionize everything from consumer electronics and IoT devices to space missions and military tech.
The road ahead is still steep—scaling production, addressing public safety concerns, and navigating global regulations will take time. But one thing is certain: the era of nuclear batteries is no longer hypothetical. It’s here.
If China’s current momentum holds, it may define the global energy landscape for the next product cycle and the next century.
