Scientists Create Battery That Lasts 5,700 Years Without Needing To Be Recharged

Imagine a battery that never needs charging, one that quietly powers a device for centuries. Thanks to researchers at the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), this once sci-fi concept is inching closer to reality.

At the center of this innovation is carbon-14, a mildly radioactive isotope with a half-life of approximately 5,700 years. That means it decays slowly very slowly offering a virtually uninterrupted power source over millennia. Unlike traditional batteries that fade in days or years, carbon-14 batteries provide consistent, microwatt-scale energy for ultra-long-term applications.

Dr. Neil Fox, Professor of Materials for Energy at the University of Bristol, and his colleagues have been instrumental in repurposing this radioactive waste into something useful. By extracting carbon-14 from used reactor graphite and encasing it in synthetic diamond, researchers have created a material that traps radiation safely inside. This not only recycles nuclear waste but also provides a sustainable power solution.

“Diamond batteries offer a safe, sustainable way to provide continuous microwatt levels of power,” explained Sarah Clark, Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA.

The diamond battery doesn’t operate like a chemical battery it behaves more like a nuclear-powered solar panel. As carbon-14 atoms decay inside the diamond lattice, they emit high-energy electrons. These are captured and converted into electricity by the semiconductor properties of the diamond structure.

Crucially, this decay happens consistently, without outside input, making the battery a self-sustaining power source that can operate in extreme environments from the human body to deep space.

The synthetic diamonds are produced through plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, a technique refined by engineers at UKAEA’s Culham Campus. A custom plasma deposition rig allows precise growth of diamond films embedded with carbon-14 creating a highly controlled and safe energy material.

This development wouldn’t be possible without fusion expertise. The UKAEA’s work on tokamak reactors and handling tritium and deuterium both radioactive hydrogen isotopes—has helped ensure that carbon-14 can be handled, deposited, and secured with the highest safety standards.

Professor Tom Scott of the University of Bristol put it simply: “Our micropower technology can support a whole range of important applications from space technologies and security devices through to medical implants.”

These batteries could keep pacemakers, hearing aids, or implants running indefinitely without needing replacements. In space missions, where sunlight is scarce and maintenance impossible, a diamond battery could keep sensors and beacons active for decades.

Even RFID tags or remote surveillance devices could benefit from the continuous trickle of power. The reliability and longevity make this a compelling solution for any scenario where battery replacement is difficult or impossible.

Despite the exciting promise, the technology isn’t quite ready for mainstream adoption. Public skepticism about anything “radioactive” looms large, even though these batteries are low-emission and fully sealed.

There’s also the challenge of cost and scalability growing synthetic diamond isn’t cheap, and safety protocols for radioactive materials are strict. But ongoing collaborations between research institutions and industry could lead to more efficient production methods in the years ahead.

If regulators can establish robust safety standards and real-world tests confirm long-term reliability, carbon-14 batteries could move beyond niche uses into critical infrastructure and advanced consumer tech.