China Introduces 'Zhulong' C-14 Nuclear Battery Promising a Lifespan of 5,730 Years
Advancements in micro-nuclear technology provide sustainable energy solutions for a range of applications.
Chinese researchers have introduced 'Zhulong,' the country's inaugural carbon-14 nuclear battery.
Created by Northwest Normal University in Lanzhou and Wuxi Beita Pharmatech in Jiangsu, this battery harnesses the decay of carbon-14—a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,730 years—to produce electricity.
It functions by capturing beta particles emitted during the decay of carbon-14 within a silicon-carbide semiconductor, thereby facilitating a continuous flow of electrons.
This innovative design promises a potentially long operational lifespan, making it ideal for applications in polar and deep-sea exploration, as well as aerospace missions.
The battery has exhibited a short-circuit current of 282 nanoamperes, an open-circuit voltage of 2.1 volts, and a maximum output power of 433 nanowatts, achieving an energy conversion efficiency of 8 percent.
When combined with energy storage modules, 'Zhulong' effectively powered a Bluetooth radio-frequency chip for both signal transmission and reception.
Moreover, an LED light powered by 'Zhulong' has been continuously operational for nearly four months, completing over 35,000 pulse flashes.
The battery's design guarantees zero emissions and boasts an energy density eight times greater than that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
It can endure extreme temperatures ranging from -100 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius. Professor Su Maogen, who leads the research team at Northwest Normal University, noted that 'Zhulong' holds the potential to function as a permanent energy source for medical implants, Internet of Things sensors, and devices utilized in extreme environments, including lunar and Martian missions.
This advancement aligns with China's larger initiatives to attain self-sufficiency in carbon-14 production. In April 2024, the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, managed by China National Nuclear Power Company Limited, successfully extracted carbon-14 targets from its pressurized heavy water reactor.
This milestone marked China’s first large-scale production of carbon-14 from a commercial nuclear power reactor, effectively eliminating dependence on imports and establishing a fully domestic supply chain.
The research team is presently working with Wuxi Beita Pharmatech to develop the second-generation prototype, 'Zhulong 2,' which will feature fully enclosed carbon-14 micro-nuclear cells. Testing for this new model is scheduled to begin by the year's end.
Created by Northwest Normal University in Lanzhou and Wuxi Beita Pharmatech in Jiangsu, this battery harnesses the decay of carbon-14—a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,730 years—to produce electricity.
It functions by capturing beta particles emitted during the decay of carbon-14 within a silicon-carbide semiconductor, thereby facilitating a continuous flow of electrons.
This innovative design promises a potentially long operational lifespan, making it ideal for applications in polar and deep-sea exploration, as well as aerospace missions.
The battery has exhibited a short-circuit current of 282 nanoamperes, an open-circuit voltage of 2.1 volts, and a maximum output power of 433 nanowatts, achieving an energy conversion efficiency of 8 percent.
When combined with energy storage modules, 'Zhulong' effectively powered a Bluetooth radio-frequency chip for both signal transmission and reception.
Moreover, an LED light powered by 'Zhulong' has been continuously operational for nearly four months, completing over 35,000 pulse flashes.
The battery's design guarantees zero emissions and boasts an energy density eight times greater than that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
It can endure extreme temperatures ranging from -100 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius. Professor Su Maogen, who leads the research team at Northwest Normal University, noted that 'Zhulong' holds the potential to function as a permanent energy source for medical implants, Internet of Things sensors, and devices utilized in extreme environments, including lunar and Martian missions.
This advancement aligns with China's larger initiatives to attain self-sufficiency in carbon-14 production. In April 2024, the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, managed by China National Nuclear Power Company Limited, successfully extracted carbon-14 targets from its pressurized heavy water reactor.
This milestone marked China’s first large-scale production of carbon-14 from a commercial nuclear power reactor, effectively eliminating dependence on imports and establishing a fully domestic supply chain.
The research team is presently working with Wuxi Beita Pharmatech to develop the second-generation prototype, 'Zhulong 2,' which will feature fully enclosed carbon-14 micro-nuclear cells. Testing for this new model is scheduled to begin by the year's end.
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