A team of researchers in South Korea has developed a new type of tiny nuclear battery that could power devices for years—or even decades—without ever needing to be recharged.
This next-generation energy source, known as a betavoltaic cell, combines radioactive materials with a special solar cell material called perovskite.
The breakthrough could be a game-changer for devices used in space, medicine, and military technology, especially where regular battery replacement or recharging isn’t possible.
The study, led by Professor Su-Il In from the Department of Energy Science & Engineering at DGIST, was published in the journal Chemical Communications.
His team built the world’s first working betavoltaic cell that directly connects a radioactive isotope electrode to a perovskite layer that absorbs the radiation and turns it into electricity.
Traditional batteries, like lithium-ion or nickel-based ones, have short lifespans and can be damaged by heat or moisture.
That makes them less reliable in extreme environments. Betavoltaic cells, on the other hand, generate electricity using beta particles—tiny, high-energy electrons that are naturally released as certain radioactive materials decay.
These beta particles can be safely used in small amounts because they don’t pass through human skin, making them much safer than other types of radiation.
Despite this potential, previous attempts to make betavoltaic cells practical have faced difficulties, mostly because radioactive materials are hard to work with, and the devices haven’t been stable or efficient enough for real-world use. That’s what makes this new research so important.
The DGIST team used a radioactive form of carbon, known as carbon-14, embedded in tiny particles called quantum dots to act as the source of beta radiation. They paired this with a carefully designed perovskite layer that was treated with special chemicals to improve its structure. This improved how easily electrons could move through the material, which made the battery much more efficient.
According to the researchers, the new cell showed a 56,000-times increase in electron mobility compared to earlier designs. It was also able to maintain stable power output for nine straight hours in testing—an encouraging sign that the battery could be reliable over the long term.
Professor In says this is the first real-world demonstration of a working betavoltaic cell. His team now hopes to make the technology even smaller and move it toward commercial use. Co-author Junho Lee added that although the research is often difficult, they’re motivated by the bigger goal of contributing to energy security and the future of advanced technologies.
