China Introduces 'Zhulong' C-14 Nuclear Battery Promising a Lifespan of Up to 5,730 Years
A groundbreaking advancement in micro-nuclear technology provides sustainable energy solutions for a range of applications.
Chinese scientists have introduced 'Zhulong,' the country’s inaugural carbon-14 nuclear battery.
This innovative battery was developed by Northwest Normal University in Lanzhou and Wuxi Beita Pharmatech in Jiangsu. It generates electricity by harnessing the decay of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,730 years.
The battery functions by capturing beta particles released during the decay of carbon-14 within a silicon-carbide semiconductor, which produces a steady flow of electrons.
Its design offers a potentially long operational life, making it ideal for uses in polar and deep-sea exploration, as well as aerospace missions.
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, resulting in an energy conversion efficiency of 8 percent.
When paired with energy storage modules, 'Zhulong' effectively powered a Bluetooth radio-frequency chip for both transmission and reception.
Moreover, an LED light powered by 'Zhulong' has run continuously for nearly four months, producing over 35,000 pulse flashes.
The battery’s design guarantees zero emissions and boasts an energy density ten times greater than that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
It is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures from -100 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius. Professor Su Maogen, who heads the research team at Northwest Normal University, noted that 'Zhulong' could become a long-term energy source for medical implants, IoT sensors, and equipment used in extreme environments like lunar and Martian missions.
This breakthrough aligns with China's broader objectives to achieve self-sufficiency in carbon-14 production. In April 2024, the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, managed by the China National Nuclear Power Company Limited, successfully extracted carbon-14 targets from its pressurized heavy water reactor.
This marked China's first large-scale production of carbon-14 from a commercial nuclear reactor, effectively diminishing dependency on imports and establishing a fully domestic supply chain.
The research team is now working alongside Wuxi Beita Pharmatech to create the second-generation prototype, 'Zhulong 2,' which will include fully enclosed carbon-14 micro-nuclear cells. Testing of this new version is slated to begin by the year's end.
This innovative battery was developed by Northwest Normal University in Lanzhou and Wuxi Beita Pharmatech in Jiangsu. It generates electricity by harnessing the decay of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,730 years.
The battery functions by capturing beta particles released during the decay of carbon-14 within a silicon-carbide semiconductor, which produces a steady flow of electrons.
Its design offers a potentially long operational life, making it ideal for uses in polar and deep-sea exploration, as well as aerospace missions.
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, resulting in an energy conversion efficiency of 8 percent.
When paired with energy storage modules, 'Zhulong' effectively powered a Bluetooth radio-frequency chip for both transmission and reception.
Moreover, an LED light powered by 'Zhulong' has run continuously for nearly four months, producing over 35,000 pulse flashes.
The battery’s design guarantees zero emissions and boasts an energy density ten times greater than that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
It is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures from -100 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius. Professor Su Maogen, who heads the research team at Northwest Normal University, noted that 'Zhulong' could become a long-term energy source for medical implants, IoT sensors, and equipment used in extreme environments like lunar and Martian missions.
This breakthrough aligns with China's broader objectives to achieve self-sufficiency in carbon-14 production. In April 2024, the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, managed by the China National Nuclear Power Company Limited, successfully extracted carbon-14 targets from its pressurized heavy water reactor.
This marked China's first large-scale production of carbon-14 from a commercial nuclear reactor, effectively diminishing dependency on imports and establishing a fully domestic supply chain.
The research team is now working alongside Wuxi Beita Pharmatech to create the second-generation prototype, 'Zhulong 2,' which will include fully enclosed carbon-14 micro-nuclear cells. Testing of this new version is slated to begin by the year's end.
