World’s First Carbon-14 Diamond Battery Could Last Millennia, Scientists Say

A view of the main 51.38-carat round-cut diamond, the Dynasty, among other gems from Russian diamond miner Alrosas Dynasty polished diamonds collection in Moscow on August 3, 2017. Yuri Kadobnov/AFP via Getty Images

Scientists and engineers have developed a battery they say has the potential to power devices for thousands of years.

Developed by researchers from the University of Bristol and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the battery harnesses the decay of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope best known for being used to date organic artifacts.

“We had a device, made out of diamond, where we had the radio isotope integrated within that device,” Neil Fox, a materials science professor at the University of Bristol, said in a video published Dec. 4 by UKAEA. “And that’s a world-first.”

How it Works

Radioactive materials like carbon-14 naturally decay over time, releasing energy as their unstable atoms transform into more stable elements. In this process, the diamond battery captures the emitted energy to create low levels of constant power, much like solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.

Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,730 years, meaning half of its material remains after that period. In other words, the battery takes more than five millennia to reach 50 percent of its power.

Encased in a synthetic diamond layer, the carbon-14 emits electrons during its natural decay into the stable carbon-12. The diamond acts as a semiconductor, safely converting these electrons into electricity while preventing hazardous radiation from escaping.

“There are no moving parts involved, no emissions generated and no maintenance required, just direct electricity generation,” explained Tom Scott, a materials science professor at the University of Bristol.

Potential Applications

A single diamond battery containing 1 gram of carbon-14 can produce approximately 15 joules of energy per day, or 173 microwatts—much less than a standard AA battery’s capacity of about 4 watt-hours. Despite the lower power output, its longevity would make it ideal for niche applications prioritizing durability.

For example, researchers believe its use in medical devices like pacemakers, hearing aids, and ocular implants would minimize the need for replacements. Pacemaker batteries generally need replacement after five to 10 years with a surgery.

“We can use it in small satellites,” Fatimah Sanni, an engineer at the UKAEA, said in the video. “We can use it in computer chips, remote controls, and wrist watches.”

The diamond’s robust nature also makes the battery suitable for extreme environments, such as deep-sea exploration or long-haul space missions. Researchers hope it could power devices like active radio frequency tags for remote tracking, significantly extending the operational lifespan of spacecraft and other equipment in harsh conditions.

A Solution to Nuclear Waste

In addition to its innovative energy applications, diamond battery might also offer a new way to repurpose nuclear waste.

Carbon-14 is produced in the graphite blocks of some nuclear fission reactors. For instance, the United Kingdom alone has nearly 95,000 metric tonnes of such graphite waste.

“By encapsulating radioactive material inside diamonds, we turn a long-term problem of nuclear waste into a nuclear-powered battery and a long-term supply of clean energy,” said Scott.