Scientists suggest new 'Nuclear Battery' concept

Experts of the National University of Science and Technology MISiS in Moscow have developed a new technology for making "nuclear batteries" with nickel-63 isotopes for various sectors, including healthcare and space research, reports the university’s press service.

The nickel-63 isotope’s properties make it a very convenient basic element for tiny, safe and low-power batteries, also known as beta-voltaic cells, with a long service life of over 50 years.

They can be used in pacemakers and also as self-contained power supply sources of space satellites.
As nickel-63 does not exist in nature, it is obtained by irradiating nickel-62 isotopes with neutrons inside nuclear reactors. The resulting substance is later subjected to radio-chemical processing and is divided using gas centrifuges.

MISiS scientists developed a technology for making systems that convert the nickel-63 isotope’s beta-radiation energy into electric power on the basis of piezo-electric mono-crystals for use by self-contained AC beta-voltaic cells.

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