2024-12-17 06:25:00
BRITAIN BATTERY FOR THOUSANDS
WNN - Tuesday, 10 December 2024 - Scientists at the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Bristol University have created what they say is the world's first carbon-14 diamond battery, which has the potential to power devices for thousands of years.
The battery is based on the radioactive isotope carbon-14. It uses its radioactive decay - it has a half-life of 5,700 years - to generate low levels of power. According to the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) "it functions similarly to solar panels, which convert light into electricity, but instead of using light particles (photons), they capture fast-moving electrons from within the diamond structure".
Sarah Clark, Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA, said: "Diamond batteries offer a safe, sustainable way to provide continuous microwatt levels of power. They are an emerging technology that use a manufactured diamond to safely encase small amounts of carbon-14."
The team from the two organisations worked on the project at the UKAEA's Culham campus, with the development seen as a spin-off from the work which has been taking place on fusion energy there.
Potential applications for the batteries include use in hostile environments where it is not possible to replace batteries - such as to power a radio frequency tag in space over a period of many decades. Other uses could be in medical pacemakers and in future in everyday electronic devices or watches.
Tom Scott, Professor in Materials at the University of Bristol, said: "Our micropower technology can support a whole range of important applications from space technologies and security devices through to medical implants. We’re excited to be able to explore all of these possibilities, working with partners in industry and research, over the next few years. We want to use this technology for advancing the human race.
"The decade ahead is about upscaling production and improving power performance. This is really exciting at this point. This is where we think people are going to say 'this is absolutely game-changing."
-----
Earlier:
2024, December, 13, 06:40:00
BRITAIN ENERGY INVESTMENT €26.7 BLN
The investment is aimed at meeting climate change and energy security targets for the UK, delivering a pathway to net zero emissions and helping the UK reach its goal of a decarbonised electricity sector by 2030.
2024, December, 6, 06:25:00
BRITAIN NUCLEAR EXTENSION
Just last week, the Britain Remade campaign group said hitting the UK's target for a clean energy grid by 2030 will be "almost impossible" without extending the operation of some of the country's nuclear power plants.
2024, November, 21, 06:25:00
BRITAIN NEED LNG
This would put the UK's import levels at their highest since February, when it took 991,000 mt of LNG. The country has seen particularly low LNG demand since Q2 of 2024; however, that seems to be shifting as it procures more winter cargoes.
2024, November, 19, 06:05:00
BRITAIN RENEWABLES 9.6 GW
The UK awarded significantly more capacity in this CfD round than in the previous. In 2023, the UK awarded only 3.7 GW of renewable capacity, including 1.9 GW of solar capacity and 1.5 GW of onshore wind.
2024, September, 6, 06:40:00
BRITAIN NUCLEAR INVESTMENT GBP5.5 BLN
The Sizewell C Devex Scheme has a total value of GBP5.5bn (€7.2bn) and it is expected to provide the greater flexibility to cover development expenditure costs up to and including FID, subject to appropriate Value for Money (VfM) assessments and approvals at the relevant time.
2024, May, 7, 06:20:00
BRITAIN HYDROGEN FOR GERMANY
The study will be developed as one of the deliverables under the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI) of the UK-Germany Hydrogen Partnership, signed on September 26, 2023, between the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
2024, May, 6, 06:50:00
BRITAIN UNLAWFUL CLIMATE PLAN
The plan sets out how the UK is going to meet its strategy for cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero in order to achieve its own legally binding commitments to curb global warming.
2024, April, 12, 06:25:00
BRITISH SPACE NUCLEAR
All space missions depend on a power source to support systems for communications, life-support and science experiments. Nuclear power has the potential to dramatically increase the duration of future space missions and their scientific value.
