China Develops Coin-Sized Nuclear Battery With Fifty Years Power
A new generation of nuclear batteries could change how the world powers everything from space probes to pacemakers and China is already producing them at scale.
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that require frequent charging, betavoltaic batteries can generate small amounts of steady electricity for decades. In some cases, they may last up to 50 or even 100 years without needing replacement.
How the Technology Works
Betavoltaic batteries use radioactive decay to produce electricity. Instead of relying on chemical reactions, they capture energy released by beta particles, high-speed electrons emitted during radioactive decay.
When those particles strike a specially designed semiconductor, they create a small but continuous electric current. Because beta radiation can be blocked with thin layers of metal such as aluminum, the batteries can be shielded safely.
This approach differs from older nuclear battery designs developed by NASA in the 1950s and 1960s, which converted heat from radioactive decay into electricity. Betavoltaic systems generate less power but operate for far longer.
China’s BV100 Battery
In early 2024, Chinese company Betavolt unveiled the BV100, a coin-sized nuclear battery powered by Nickel-63. The company says the device can last approximately 50 years.
Unlike earlier prototypes that remained confined to research labs, Betavolt claims the BV100 has entered mass production. The company says the battery could power medical devices, aerospace systems, robotics and potentially future consumer electronics.
China is also expanding research in the field. Northwest Normal University in Gansu recently announced a carbon-14–based nuclear battery designed to operate for up to 100 years. China has reportedly developed a commercial carbon-14 reactor in Zhejiang, giving it a potential advantage in securing supply chains.
Why Long-Life Batteries Matter
For everyday consumers, longer battery life may simply mean fewer charging cycles. But for certain applications, multi-decade power is essential.
Deep-space missions, underwater sensors, remote military systems and implanted medical devices require power sources that cannot be easily replaced. Betavoltaic batteries are well suited for extreme environments and long-term deployments.
As countries push toward decarbonization and deploy more smart sensors and connected devices, reliable long-lasting micro-power sources may become increasingly important.
The U.S. and Europe Respond
The United States was an early leader in nuclear battery development. In fact, U.S. researchers created the first successful betavoltaic battery in the 1970s.
Today, several American companies are working to revive the technology. Miami-based City Labs is developing tritium-powered betavoltaic batteries, aiming for approximately 20-year lifespans. In late 2024, the company received funding from the National Institutes of Health to develop long-lasting batteries for pacemakers.
Other U.S. firms, including Kronos Advanced Technologies and Yasheng Group, have announced partnerships focused on nuclear battery development. In the United Kingdom, Arkenlight has developed a carbon-14 battery made from recycled nuclear waste.
A Global Race
China appears to be building a vertically integrated supply chain for betavoltaic batteries, similar to its approach to solar panel manufacturing. By securing radioactive materials and semiconductor production domestically, the country may gain an early manufacturing edge.
While the technology will not replace high-capacity batteries used in smartphones or electric vehicles, its long lifespan makes it uniquely valuable for specialized applications.
After more than 70 years of intermittent development, nuclear battery technology may finally be entering a commercial phase. Whether China maintains its lead or whether the U.S. and Europe regain momentum will likely shape the next chapter in advanced energy systems.
