US breakthrough nuclear battery generates electricity from atomic waste products

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a battery that can convert nuclear waste into electricity.

This innovative technology utilizes ambient gamma radiation from spent nuclear fuel to power electronics and offers a cleaner and more efficient energy source.

“We’re harvesting something considered as waste and by nature, trying to turn it into treasure,” said Raymond Cao, lead author of the study.

Using scintillator crystals for battery

Nuclear power is a reliable source of energy. However, it produces radioactive waste that emits gamma radiation, which is a form of energy that has traditionally been difficult to harness safely.

The Ohio State team’s prototype battery solves this problem by using scintillator crystals, which emit light when exposed to radiation. This light is then captured by solar cells, which, like those on rooftop solar panels, convert it into electricity.

“The nuclear battery concept is very promising,” Cao asserted.

“There’s still lots of room for improvement, but I believe in the future, this approach will carve an important space for itself in both the energy production and sensors industry.”

The battery is roughly the size of a four-cubic-centimeter cube. The researchers utilized two common radioactive isotopes found in spent nuclear fuel, cesium-137 and cobalt-60, to test the prototype.

The results demonstrated that the battery generated 288 nanowatts with cesium-137 and a more substantial 1.5 microwatts with cobalt-60, enough to power a small sensor.

“Although most power outputs for homes and electronics are measured in kilowatts, this suggests that with the right power source, such devices could be scaled up to target applications at or beyond the watts level,” remarked Cao.

Addressing radioactive waste problem

This technology offers a promising solution to the challenges posed by radioactive waste, a significant byproduct of nuclear power generation.

Nuclear power plants provide about 20% of the United States’ electricity with minimal greenhouse gas emissions.

“However, these systems do create radioactive waste, which can be dangerous to human health,” said the researchers in a press release.

By converting this waste into electricity, the battery offers a potential pathway for transforming a liability into a valuable resource.

Moreover, the design of the battery makes it particularly suited for environments where high levels of radiation are already present, such as nuclear waste storage facilities, deep-sea exploration, and even space missions.

“Fortunately, although the gamma radiation utilized in this work is about a hundred times more penetrating than a normal X-ray or CT scan, the battery itself does not incorporate radioactive materials, meaning it is still safe to touch,” highlighted the researchers.

Design’s impact on power output

The study also highlighted the impact of the scintillator crystal’s design on power output, with larger volumes and surface areas enhancing radiation absorption and light conversion.

The technology shows great promise, but scaling it up for broader applications will require addressing manufacturing costs and conducting further research.

That said, this development represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient use of nuclear energy.

“These are breakthrough results in terms of power output,” concluded Ibrahim Oksuz, co-author of the study.

“This two-step process is still in its preliminary stages, but the next step involves generating greater watts with scale-up constructs.”