Scientists Develop Diamond Battery Capable of Powering Devices for Thousands of Years

The carbon-14 diamond battery uses radioactive decay to generate electricity, offering long-term power solutions for medical devices, space missions, and more.

The carbon-14 diamond battery, created by UKAEA and the University of Bristol, harnesses radioactive decay to produce electricity through the betavoltaic effect.
With a half-life of 5,700 years, the battery could power low-energy devices like pacemakers, hearing aids, and spacecraft for millennia without replacement.
The diamond casing safely contains the radiation from carbon-14, ensuring it poses no risk to humans or the environment.
Potential applications include powering communication equipment on deep-space missions, such as future probes similar to Voyager 1, which currently faces power limitations.
While still in early development, researchers are exploring industrial partnerships to improve performance and scale production for commercial use.