Scientists at the UK Atomic Energy Authority are working
with academics at the University of
Bristol on world-leading technology in order to
make diamond batteries, which could provide decades or
thousands of years’ worth of energy without a recharge.
Items such as computer chips, smoke alarms, pacemakers, or
small satellites could all be operated by such a device.
Tritium scientists at UKAEA’s Hydrogen-3 Advanced
Technology facility (H3AT) are at the early stages
of establishing a pilot project which could see them
eventually become partners in establishing a production
line for the diamond batteries.
The battery would be powered by small amounts of graphite
from former nuclear reactors – presenting the opportunity
to recycle both carbon-14 and tritium into micro-power
diamond devices.
Each battery would be very small. Estimates suggest 50kg of
carbon-14 would be sufficient for millions of units.
Professor Tom Scott from the University of Bristol
initially helped to develop the technology utilising the
electrical properties of diamond to produce diamond
batteries. The devices operate in a similar way to the
photovoltaics used in solar panels (where the conversion of
light into electricity occurs) but these devices will
harness fast electrons from within the diamond structure
rather than using particles of light (photons).
The first small diodes producing power from carbon-14 beta
particles have already been demonstrated on a small scale
at the University of Bristol.
Scientists at Bristol have been working with UKAEA to trial
the placing of deuterium into this diamond structure.
Following analysis, they will then attempt the same with
tritium.
H3AT tritium engineer Anthony Hollingsworth said: “The fast
electrons emitted by the tritium and carbon-14 do not go
through the outer layer of the battery. These diamonds are
extremely tough – in addition the radioactive part is
coated in a non-radioactive diamond layer.”
Professor Scott added: “Bristol are working with Culham to
form a spin-out company and set up a pilot run of making
these devices. We would look at producing 10,000 or 20,000
devices a year, but ultimately want to be producing
millions of devices annually.
“It’s an extremely exciting project – we are aiming to be
world leaders in diamond batteries.”
