Ever wished your phone’s battery lasted longer? Imagine a world where the phrase ‘low battery’ does not exist. Did you ever dream of your phone’s battery lasting for 50 years? Well, that dream is slowly coming into reality. 

Regular disposable batteries can release harmful chemicals when they leak, and rechargeable ones are at risk of exploding. However, there's exciting progress in creating a new kind of battery using radioactive materials, marking a potential advancement in the technology of batteries. 

Betavolt Technology, a Beijing-based company, has created a nuclear battery with the potential to power phones for 5 decades without the need of recharging. They made atomic batteries much smaller at 15 x 15 x 5 mm, even tinier than a regular coin. The company used Nickel 63, a radioactive material, to produce 100 microwatts and 3 volts of electricity as it naturally breaks down. Nickel-63 produces energy as it goes through a process called decay, where it loses some of its protons. This radioactive battery harnesses that energy and converts it into electrical energy. Elements, such as nickel, turn into different elements as they lose tiny particles. In the case of Nickel-63, it becomes copper when it loses electrons and protons. As it goes through this cycle, the battery turns into a safe, reusable substance after being in use for many years. Copper plays a crucial role in the composition of all electronic devices.

Currently, the battery is in the pilot testing stage and Betavolt plans to mass-produce them for commercial devices like phones and drones, but also states nuclear batteries could be used for aerospace equipment, AI, medical equipment, advanced sensors, and micro-robots. 

The company is planning on boosting its technology to produce a 1-watt battery by the year 2025. It may be a long way to go, but the company is confident stating that the development is ahead of those in European and American scientific research institutions and enterprises. 

With this new technology, we might completely change how electronics work. Imagine devices that don’t require chargers or power banks, running non-stop. Unlike current batteries like Lithium-ion (Li-ion) ones, these new batteries wouldn’t lose their capacity or lifespan even after many charging cycles. According to Betavolt, the BV100 won’t catch fire or explode if it gets punctured or shot, which is a contrast to some existing batteries that can be dangerous when damaged or exposed to high temperatures. This feature makes the BV100 batteries safer. 

As mentioned, Betavolt’s scientists used Nickel-63 as the energy source and employed diamond semiconductors to convert that energy. They crafted an ultra-thin single-crystal diamond semiconductor, measuring just 10-microns in thickness. Placing a 2-micron-thick Nickel-63 sheet between two diamond semiconductors, they converted the decay energy of the radioactive source into an electrical current. 

Betavolt emphasizes several advantages of their atomic energy batteries, including being lightweight, having a life-long service life, possessing high energy density, and functioning effectively in extreme temperatures ranging from –60 to 120 degrees Celsius. The modular design allows multiple batteries to be connected, providing a higher energy output suitable for powering various technologies, including automotive AI systems. 

Additionally, Betavolt has addressed radiation concerns by affirming the safety of BV100, emphasizing its lack of external radiation. This makes it suitable for applications within the human body, like in medical devices such as pacemakers and cochlear implants. Betavolt explains that after the decay process, the Nickel-63 isotopes transform into copper, rendering them non-radioactive and posing no environmental threat. 

To sum it up, Betavolt’s revolutionary nuclear battery technology paves the way for a future where our gadgets can run smoothly for decades without the constant need for recharging. The BV100 not only ensures a longer battery life, but also tackles safety issues commonly associated with traditional batteries. As we eagerly await the widespread availability of these compact and potent batteries, the possibilities for their use seem boundless across various sectors, spanning from everyday tech devices to fields like aerospace and medical equipment. Betavolt’s ongoing innovations mark a substantial step in battery tech, providing a sneak peek into a future where our devices can operate sustainably and effectively.