Nickel-63 is a very convenient basis for miniature, but at the same time safe and maintenance-free beta-voltaic power supplies with a service life of at least 50 years and high power density. They can be used in various fields, including astronautics and medicine, as well as in various extreme conditions and hard-to-reach areas.

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According to a project participant, deputy head of the Luch laboratory, Alexander Pavkin, a prototype of a compact power source based on nickel-63 is the result of completed research work carried out on an initiative basis. “In this case, we obtained a source power of the order of one microwatt – it is already sufficient to ensure, for example, the operation of a pacemaker,” he emphasized.

It is worth noting that nickel-63 does not exist in nature. It is produced artificially by irradiating the natural isotope nickel-62 with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. Subsequently, the resulting material is subjected to radiochemical processing and separation in gas centrifuges.

The work of the presented source is based on nickel with an enrichment level of 20% for nickel-63, said Alexander Pavkin. However, if you use higher enrichment nickel, he added, you can increase the power and at the same time reduce the size of the device. “Nickel-63 is a so-called “soft” beta emitter. In this case, there is no neutron or gamma radiation. And the electrons of beta radiation are completely absorbed by the converter, so, say, if the source is used to operate a pacemaker, they will not even be reach the surface of the skin,” said the deputy head of the Luch laboratory.

Let us recall that earlier Rosatom began implementing a large-scale project in the south of Russia. We are talking about the construction of wind farms in Adygea and Krasnodar region. The total amount of financing for the next 10 years exceeds 63 billion rubles.

An agreement to build the first wind farm in Adygea with a capacity of 150 megawatts was reached last year at the International Investment Forum in Sochi. The implementation of the project will reduce the deficit in the republic's energy system by about a third.

A wind farm or wind power plant is several wind generators collected in one or more places and connected into a single network. Large wind power plants can consist of 100 or more wind generators, which make it possible to cost-effectively use the energy of even the weakest winds - from 4 meters per second.

At the enterprise of the state corporation "Rosatom" "Mining and Chemical Combine" (GCC, Zheleznogorsk, Krasnoyarsk Territory) the transformation (conversion) of gas enriched in the target isotope nickel-63 (Ni-63) has been completed into a form suitable for application to a semiconductor converter for obtaining a prototype energy source. A representative of the enterprise’s press service reported this to RIA Novosti.

At the moment, the delivery of the appropriate components for the application of Ni-63 and the final assembly of the prototype “nuclear battery” is expected.

The operating principle of beta-voltaic electricity sources is based on the conversion of radioactive beta decay energy into electricity using a semiconductor converter. The properties of nickel-63 make it a very convenient basis for miniature, safe and maintenance-free beta-voltaic power supplies with a long (at least 50 years) service life and high power density, up to 100 microwatts per cubic centimeter. Such power sources can be used in hard-to-reach areas and in extreme conditions. From a consumer safety point of view, the advantage of nickel-63 is that it is a so-called “soft” beta emitter, so the radiation is completely shielded by the battery housing.

Nickel-63 based batteries. Photo: YouTube

Nickel-63 does not exist in nature, so it is obtained by irradiating the natural isotope Nickel-62 with neutrons in a nuclear reactor with further radiochemical processing and separation in gas centrifuges.

Mining and Chemical Combine is the system integrator of the project. MCC organized work in two directions: obtaining a highly enriched Ni-63 isotope and creating a special structure for a semiconductor converter. The project involves Rosatom enterprises with unique competencies. In particular, the Electrochemical Plant (Zelenogorsk, Krasnoyarsk Territory, part of the Rosatom fuel company TVEL) is responsible for the enrichment of nickel using the Ni-63 isotope. The final stage, the assembly of a prototype power source, will take place at the Mining and Chemical Combine.

As a representative of the MCC press service noted, the design of the semiconductor converter is based on new design, which qualitatively increases the efficiency of all components. According to experts, power supplies based on highly enriched Ni-63 and with a new converter design create a breakthrough platform for the design of new generation devices in the field of cybernetics and artificial intelligence. This is a new type of device that will become the basis for a new architecture of electronic devices.

At the moment, science is progressing and developing. Today, a nuclear battery has already been invented. Such an energy source can last up to 50, and sometimes up to 100 years. It all depends on the size and what radioactive substance is used.

The first announcement about the production of a nuclear battery was made by Rosatom. In 2017, this company presented a prototype at the exhibition.

The researchers were able to optimize the layers of a nuclear battery that uses the beta decay of the nickel 63 isotope to generate electricity.

1 gram of this substance contains 3300 milliwatt hours.

The principle of operation of an atomic battery

Energy production is based on a chemical reaction using different types isotopes. During beta decay, an electrical potential is created. And this gives current.

Are nuclear batteries dangerous?

The developers claim that such batteries are completely safe for ordinary citizens. And all because the design of the case is made soundly.

It is known that beta radiation harms the body. But in the created nuclear battery it is soft and will be absorbed inside the energy cell.

At the moment, experts identify several industries in which it is planned to use the Russia A123 nuclear battery:

1. Medicine.
2. Space industry.
3. Industry.
4. Transport.

Also, in addition to these areas, new durable energy sources can be used in others.

Pros of a nuclear battery

There are a number of positive qualities:

• Durability. They can last up to 100,000 years.
• Ability to withstand critical temperatures.
• Their small size allows them to be portable and used in compact equipment.

Disadvantages of a strong battery

• Complexity of production.
• There is a risk of radiation exposure. Especially if the case is damaged.
• Expensive. One nuclear battery can cost from 500,000 to 4,500,000 rubles.
• Available to a narrow circle of people.
• Small assortment.

The research and development of nuclear batteries is carried out not only by large companies, but also by ordinary students. So in Tomsk, a student developed his own battery, powered by nuclear energy, which can work without recharging for about 12 years. The operation of the invention is based on the decay of tritium. Such a battery does not change its characteristics over time.

Nuclear battery for smartphone

For 2019, nuclear energy sources for phones are being released. They look as shown in the picture below.

They resemble a kind of microcircuit that is inserted into special connectors on a mobile phone. This battery can last 20 years. Moreover, all this time it does not need to be charged. This is possible due to the process of nuclear fission. True, such a source of energy may frighten many. After all, everyone knows that radiation is harmful and destroys the body. And few people will like to carry such a phone next to them throughout the day.

But according to scientists, such a nuclear battery is completely safe. Since tritium is involved as an active substance. Its radiation, which appears during decay, is harmless. You can see the work of tritium on a glow-in-the-dark quartz watch. The battery can withstand frost of minus 50 degrees. It also functions stably at plus 150 C 0 . At the same time, no fluctuations in her work were noted.

It’s a good idea to have such a battery on hand, at least to recharge your phone using a regular battery.

The voltage of such a battery ranges from 0.8 - 2.4 volts. It also generates from 50 to 300 nanoamps. And all this happens over the course of 20 years.

The capacity is calculated as follows: C = 0.000001W * 50 years * 365 days * 24 hours / 2V = 219mA

At the moment, the battery is valued at $1,122. If we convert to rubles at the current exchange rate (65.42), it will come out to 73,400 rubles.

Where are nuclear batteries used?

The scope of application is almost the same as that of conventional batteries. They are used in:

• Microelectronics.
• Pressure and temperature sensors.
• Implants.
• As power banks for lithium cells.
• Identification systems.
• Hours.
• SRAM memory.
• For powering low-power processors, for example, FPGA, ASIC.

These are not the only devices; in the future, their list will expand significantly.

Nickel 63 nuclear battery and its characteristics

This nuclear energy source, made on the 63 isotope, can last up to 50 years. It works due to the beta voltoic effect. It's almost like a photo electrical effect. In it, electron-hole pairs in the crystal lattice of a semiconductor are created under the action of fast electrons or beta particles. And with the photoelectric effect, they appear under the influence of photons.

A nickel-63 atomic battery is produced by irradiating nickel-62 targets in a reactor. Researcher Gavrilov claims that this takes about 1 year. The necessary targets are already available in Zheleznogorsk.

If we compare the new Russian nuclear batteries on nickel 63 with lithium-ion batteries, they will be 30 times smaller.

Experts say that these energy sources are safe for humans as they emit weak beta rays. In addition, they do not come out, but remain inside the device.

Such a power source is currently ideal for medical pacemakers. But the developers don’t talk about the cost. But you can calculate it without them. 1 gram of Ni-63 currently costs approximately $4,000. From here we can conclude that a full-fledged battery will require a lot of money.

Nickel 63 is mined from diamonds. But to obtain this isotope, it was necessary to create a new technology for cutting durable diamond material.

In general, a nuclear battery consists of an emitter and a collector separated by a special film. When a radioactive element decays, it releases beta radiation. As a result, it becomes positively charged. At this time, the collector is charged negatively. After which a potential difference appears and a electricity.

In essence, our atomic battery is a layered cake. Between the 200 diamond semiconductors are 200 energy sources made of nickel 63. The height of the energy source is about 4 mm. Its weight is 250 milligrams. Small size is a big plus for the Russian nuclear battery.

It is difficult to find the required dimensions. The large thickness of the isotope will not allow the electrons that appear in it to escape. A small thickness is not beneficial, since the number of beta decays per unit time decreases. The same thing applies to the thickness of the semiconductor. The battery functions best when the isotope thickness is about 2 microns. And the diamond semiconductor is 10 microns.

But what scientists have achieved so far is not the limit. Emissions can be increased at least three times more. This means that a nuclear battery can be made 3 times cheaper.

Carbon 14 nuclear battery lasts 100 years

This atomic battery compared to others radiation sources energy has the following advantages:

1. Cheapness.
2. Ecological cleanliness.
3. Long service life up to 100 years.
4. Low toxicity.
5. Safety.
6. Capable of working in extreme temperature conditions.

The radioactive isotope carbon 14 has a half-life of 5,700 years. It is absolutely non-toxic and low cost.

Not only the USA and Russia, but also other countries are actively working to modernize the nuclear battery! Researchers have learned to grow a film on a carbide substrate. As a result, the price of the substrate fell by as much as 100 times. This structure is resistant to radiation, and this makes this energy source safe and durable. By using silicon carbide in nuclear batteries, it is possible to achieve its operation at a temperature of 350 degrees Celsius.

Thus, scientists managed to create an atomic battery with their own hands!