The Mars rover Perseverance is powered by a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) that uses plutonium dioxide to generate electricity using the “Seebeck effect.”
Initially producing 110 watts of power, the RTGs on Perseverance are slowly decreasing in power as the plutonium decays.
While RTGs are effective for space probes, plutonium-238 is toxic and not suitable for household devices.
A new battery developed by Beta Volt, a Chinese manufacturer, uses radioisotopes that decay by beta emission to generate electricity. By sandwiching the isotope between layers of semiconductors, the battery can provide a small but long-lasting power source for up to 50 years.
Betavoltaic cells, based on promethium, were previously used in cardiac pacemakers but have been replaced by lithium batteries. The BetaVolt battery utilizes nickel-63 isotope and diamond semiconductor layers for prolonged usage.
The safety of betavoltaic cells lies in the low damage potential to living tissue by electron emissions, which can be easily blocked by the battery casing and clothing. In the event of ingestion, the radioactive material will decay harmlessly over time.
This article explains the concept of a nuclear battery and its functionality, in response to a question from Will Steadman.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
