Hold onto your phone chargers—the future of energy just got radioactive! A Chinese company has developed a prototype nuclear battery that could revolutionize how we power everything from pacemakers to space satellites. Meet the Zhulong-1, a micro nuclear battery using radioactive carbon-14 (C-14) with a jaw-dropping half-life of 5,730 years. That’s longer than the Pyramids of Giza have existed!
The Science Behind the Spark
Developed by Wuxi Beita Pharmatech and Northwest Normal University, this tech turns radioactive decay into electricity. Unlike your average AA battery, Zhulong-1 pairs C-14 isotopes with a silicon-carbide semiconductor. When the isotopes decay, they shoot out beta particles that hit the semiconductor, creating a steady stream of electrons. No charging required—ever.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just for sci-fi nerds. The team cracked two major challenges: creating ultra-pure C-14 sources and boosting energy conversion efficiency. Imagine medical implants that never need surgery for battery swaps or sensors on Mars rovers humming along for millennia.
Zhang Guanghui, the project’s tech lead, says this innovation could fuel AI-driven devices, aerospace tech, and IoT systems—all while being eco-friendly. With China pushing its clean energy goals, Zhulong-1 might soon power the next-gen tech in your pocket… or on another planet.
A Chinese company has developed a prototype nuclear battery that could revolutionize how we power everything from pacemakers to space satellites. Meet the Zhulong-1, a micro nuclear battery using radioactive carbon-14 (C-14) with a jaw-dropping half-life of 5,730 years. That’s longer than the Pyramids of Giza have existed!
No charging required—ever.
