Betavoltaic Cells – Next Gen Batteries Need No Recharge

Posted by AJ in Technology News

This is going to be a breakthrough in battery technology. United State’s Air Force Research team has invented a technology that can deliver electric power continuously for 30 years.

Betavoltaic cells are constructed with semiconductors that are powered by radio isotopes. The working principle follows:

Betavoltaics generate power when an electron strikes a particular interface between two layers of material. The Process uses beta electron emissions that occur when a neutron decays into a proton which causes a forward bias in the semiconductor. This makes the betavoltaic cell a forward bias diode of sorts, similar in some respects to a photovoltaic (solar) cell. Electrons scatter out of their normal orbits in the semiconductor and into the circuit creating a usable electric current.

The power generation process releases out no thermal energy. Hence betavoltaic cell powered laptops and mobile phones will work cooler than current lithium-ion batteries.

The process taking place is neutron betas decaying into protons. This truly demonstrates Einstein’s E=MC2 formula. And the result is highly concentrated source of energy.

Once worn out of power the batteries would be non-toxic and non-hazardous. This environment friendly battery is expected to hit the stores with in 2 years.