In a groundbreaking development that could reshape the future of energy storage, Beijing Betavolt New Energy Technology has announced the mass production of the BV100, a miniature nuclear battery capable of delivering power for up to 50 years without charging or maintenance. This innovative, coin-sized device harnesses the power of radioactive nickel-63 decay, setting a transformative milestone in compact nuclear energy.
According to Popular Mechanics, the BV100 is the first nuclear battery to integrate China’s fourth-generation diamond semiconductor technology, representing a major leap toward practical and scalable nuclear power solutions. The achievement positions Betavolt as a frontrunner in the rapidly intensifying global race for nuclear battery commercialization, competing alongside players from the United States, Europe, and China.
Betavolt’s BV100 is built around a two-micron-thick core of nickel-63, sandwiched between two layers of diamond semiconductor material, each measuring ten microns thick. This structure efficiently converts the isotope’s radioactive decay into usable electricity through betavoltaic technology, offering a power output of 100 microwatts at 3 volts. The battery’s modular design allows multiple units to be combined in series or parallel, scaling up to meet higher energy demands.
While the current iteration may not yet power smartphones or laptops individually, Betavolt envisions stacking multiple BV100 units to cater to larger applications. The company also revealed plans to launch a one-watt version later this year, targeting sectors such as consumer electronics, drones, and medical equipment.
Importantly, the BV100 boasts an energy density over ten times greater than that of conventional ternary lithium batteries, offering 3,300 milliwatt-hours per gram. Furthermore, it operates reliably across extreme temperatures ranging from -60°C to +120°C, without risk of fire, explosion, or self-discharge.
Unlike older Cold War-era thermoelectric nuclear batteries—which were bulky, generated high internal temperatures, and were largely restricted to aerospace applications—Betavolt’s betavoltaic design provides a safer, more compact alternative. In addition, the BV100’s environmental footprint is minimal, as its radioactive core decays into stable, non-toxic copper, negating the need for expensive recycling.
The innovation has already earned Betavolt significant recognition within China. The company won third prize at the China National Nuclear Corporation’s 2023 Innovation Competition and has filed patents both domestically and under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for global protection.
Speaking on the breakthrough, Zhang Wei, chairman and CEO of Betavolt, said:
“The company is currently the only global producer of large diamond semiconductor materials.”
This capability, according to Zhang Wei, also holds immense potential for emerging sectors like supercapacitors and ultra-long carbon nanotube materials.
The potential applications for Betavolt’s nuclear batteries are vast, spanning aerospace systems, artificial intelligence devices, medical implants, micro-robots, small drones, and more—essentially anything that demands a reliable, ultra-long-lasting power source.
The breakthrough has triggered global interest in nuclear battery development. Research institutions such as Northwest Normal University in China are exploring alternative designs using isotopes like carbon-14. Meanwhile, international competitors including City Labs (U.S.), Kronos Advanced Technologies, Yasheng Group, and Arkenlight (UK) are also advancing their own betavoltaic innovations.
City Labs recently announced it had received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create betavoltaic batteries for medical devices such as pacemakers and artificial hearts, employing tritium as the radioactive core instead of nickel-63.
As Betavolt moves forward with plans to scale up production and launch higher-powered variants, the advent of mass-produced nuclear batteries may soon reshape how devices are powered across industries—from healthcare and defense to consumer technology and beyond.