Recycling nuclear waste into 'near-infinite power' diamond batteries

Researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK are attempting to recycle nuclear waste into batteries that last for thousands of years. The next-generation diamond batteries use energy from radioactive materials. Researchers at the university have already developed and tested the idea and now hope to use waste materials from decommissioned nuclear power plants across the country.

Earlier this month work began on the removal of radioactive waste from the Berkeley power station in Gloucestershire which despite being decommissioned in 1989 has only recently become safe.

Carbon-14 isotopes extracted from graphite blocks produced by the plant are infused with wafer-thin diamonds to create the batteries, which researchers say are capable of providing power on a “near-infinite basis”.

The potential applications range from powering pacemakers and hearing aids, to extending the range of spacecraft to distances much further than are currently possible. 

The diamond batteries are already being tested in extreme environments where it is difficult to replace conventional power sources, including in sensors as the top of volcanoes.

"Eventually, a highly powerful version of a diamond battery could power a mobile phone," James Barker, from the University of Bristol's Faculty of Engineering, said in an interview with The Independent. 

"Primarily though, they are best for devices requiring long lifetime, low power and where it is difficult to replace energy sources," he continued.

The diamond batteries are encased in a layer of non-radioactive diamond which is able to absorb any radiation given off making them safe for medical and consumer applications.

In the UK alone there is almost 100,000 tonnes of nuclear waste in graphite block form. The majority of nuclear plants are due to be decommissioned by 2030. Scientists are aiming to have a pilot factory manufacturing the diamond batteries operational within the next five years.

"The ultimate aim is to have a factory based at one of the former power stations in the South West that takes Carbon-14 isotopes directly from the graphite blocks for use in diamond batteries. This would significantly reduce the radioactivity of the remaining material, making it easier and safer to manage,” said Professor Tom Scott, director of the South West Nuclear Hub.

"With the majority of the UK’s nuclear power plants set to go offline in the next 10-15 years this presents a huge opportunity to recycle a large amount of material to generate power for so many great uses."

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