The physicists and chemists from the university said that the new technology uses nuclear waste to generate electricity in a nuclear-powered battery.
The new method for radioactive energy development is expected to solve some of the problems of nuclear waste, clean electricity generation and battery life, the team said.
University Interface Analysis Centre materials professor and a member of the Cabot Institute Tom Scott said: “There are no moving parts involved, no emissions generated and no maintenance required, just direct electricity generation.
“By encapsulating radioactive material inside diamonds, we turn a long-term problem of nuclear waste into a nuclear-powered battery and a long-term supply of clean energy.”
The team has already developed and demonstrated a prototype diamond battery using the Nickel-63 material as the source of radiation.
However, further work is underway to develop next version of the diamond battery using carbon-14 as radiation source in order to significantly improve efficiency.
The carbon-14, a radioactive version of carbon generated in graphite blocks used to moderate the reaction in nuclear plants, was selected as it emits a short-range radiation which is quickly absorbed by solid materials.
University of Bristol, School of Chemistry CVD Diamond Lab member Dr Neil Fox said: “This would make it dangerous to ingest or touch with your naked skin, but safely held within diamond, no short-range radiation can escape.
“In fact, diamond is the hardest substance known to man, there is literally nothing we could use that could offer more protection.”
The new diamond batteries have potential to revolutionize the powering of devices over long timescales, the team said.
Scott added: “We envision these batteries to be used in situations where it is not feasible to charge or replace conventional batteries.
“Obvious applications would be in low-power electrical devices where long life of the energy source is needed, such as pacemakers, satellites, high-altitude drones or even spacecraft.”
Image: The Bristol University’s new diamond batteries have potential to revolutionize the way the devices are powered over long timescales. Photo: courtesy of University of Bristol.
