China has made a major leap in energy technology with the unveiling of a miniaturised nuclear battery that could revolutionise how devices are powered. The latest breakthrough comes from Northwest Normal University, which introduced a Carbon-14 powered battery expected to last up to 100 years without recharging.
Earlier this year, Beijing-based company Betavolt launched the BV100—a coin-sized nuclear battery powered by Nickel-63 with a lifespan of 50 years. These compact energy sources are already being prepared for use in aerospace, medical devices, and even everyday electronics.
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China has also set up a commercial reactor to extract the rare Carbon-14 isotope, showing its intent to dominate the global nuclear battery supply chain—just as it did with solar panel manufacturing. This move could give China a significant edge in the long-term energy market.
Meanwhile, other nations are racing to catch up. In the U.S., City Labs is developing a tritium-powered battery with a 20-year lifespan, and Britain’s Arkenlight is using nuclear waste for power. Companies like Kronos Advanced Technologies and Yasheng Group are also entering the field, while several countries in Europe and Asia explore similar paths.
What was once a futuristic concept is now rapidly becoming reality. As concerns over sustainability and longevity grow, nuclear batteries may soon power everything from pacemakers to space missions, with China leading the charge.
