Scientists from Samara have developed a technology for creating durable nuclear batteries

Scientists of the Samara National Research University named after Academician S.P. Korolev have developed a technology that allows you to create nuclear batteries with a service life of more than 100 years.

According to the release, published on the University’s website , the technology developed by researchers is based on the idea of ​​transforming energy that radioactive source radiates into electric energy.

Scientists from different countries are currently engaged in the development of nuclear batteries, however, according to representatives of the Samara university, the technology created by them will make it possible to produce batteries that differ in environmental friendliness, cheapness and long -term operation.

"These advantages are provided, firstly, due to the use of carbon-14 in the new battery as a radioactive source. The half-life of this element is 5700 years, and at the same time, in contrast, for example, Nickel-63, carbon-14 is non-toxic and differs in low cost," the release said.

Another difference between the development and the analogues is that a fundamentally new structure is used as a “substrate” for a radioactive element - a porous carbudoric heterostructure created using a patented technology.

“This technology allows you to reduce the cost of the“ substrate ”by 100 times. The costs are significantly reduced because we do not use the traditional process of forming the film on the carbidromnia substrate,” Albina Gurskaya explained one of the co -authors of development.

An important advantage of the carbidromnia structure is its resistance to radiation. When the isotope is radiated, it remains almost unchanged, which allows us to say that the battery made using new technology will work for a long time.

According to researchers' plans, a prototype of nuclear battery based on the new technology will be made before the end of autumn. In the future, such power sources can find the widest application. So, thanks to their compact sizes, they are ideal for various kinds of sensors in automated control and control systems, including uninterrupted monitoring of oil and gas pipelines throughout their life cycle in the hard-to-reach regions of Siberia, the Far East and the Arctic. They can also be used to power sensors in cars and unmanned vehicles. Finally, medicine can be another area of ​​use of such batteries - they can be used to power pacemakers.

Recall that in March of this year, a group of scientists from FGBNU TISNUM, MIPT, NITU MISIS and FSUE NPO "Luch" developed samples of nuclear voltage batteries using the Nickel-63 isotope as energy material. The declared period of uninterrupted operation of these batteries is 50 years.