The world’s first nuclear-powered battery, which uses a radioactive isotope embedded in a diamond, could power small devices for thousands of years, scientists say.

The nuclear battery uses the reaction of a diamond placed close to a radioactive source to spontaneously produce electricity, scientists at the University of Bristol in the U.K. explained in a Dec. 4 statement. No motion — neither linear nor rotational — is required. That means no energy is needed to move a magnet through a coil or to turn an armature within a magnetic field to produce electric current, as is required in conventional power sources.

The diamond battery harvests fast-moving electrons excited by radiation, similar to how solar power uses photovoltaic cells to convert photons into electricity, the scientists said.

  • @[email protected]
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    419 days ago

    Jesus no. Its bad enough trying to recycle a lead acid or lithium battery.

    Where the fuck am I going to safely recycle nuclear waste embedded in a diamond?!?

    • @Treczoks
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      818 days ago

      Leave that to future generations, as it will still deliver half its original power in 5000 years.

    • @Dkarma
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      419 days ago

      It lasts 1000 years. Your great great grand children would never have to worry about this.

      • @Hardeehar
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        119 days ago

        Maybe in 1000 years we can just toss it out of the spaceship

      • Ricky Rigatoni
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        -119 days ago

        How do you know I won’t live that long? With thousand year power sources anything is possible.