Will this radioactive battery from China solve EVs range issues forever?
A Chinese startup claims to have developed a new battery that could power smartphones for 50 years without the need for charging. The battery will not catch fire or explode when punctured or even shot, unlike some batteries that can be unsafe if damaged or exposed to high temperatures, says Chinese startup Betavolt.
Beijing-based Betavolt said its nuclear battery is the first in the world to realise the miniaturisation of atomic energy, and the battery works by converting the energy released by decaying isotopes into electricity through a process that was first explored in the 20th century. Can this be repurposed to work for electric vehicles (EVs)?
Moreover, if you really think about it, the main problem with any EV is simply the fact that the battery runs out too quickly. Unlike petrol stations which are abundant all over the country, charging stations are few and far between so if we remove the need to constantly charge an EV, it is technically as viable as a petrol car.
Naturally, there will be concerns for radiation poisoning and, as a result, the inherent safety of these nuclear batteries when used in EVs. I am no scientist and even I would worry if we replicate this technology on a much larger scale as EV batteries and smartphone batteries are so different in size.
However, Betavolt addressed this concern, stating the battery is safe as it has no external radiation and is suitable for use in medical devices inside the human body, like pacemakers and cochlear implants. If this is indeed true, then these batteries should, in theory, contain all its radiation and not harm anyone nearby.
The true advantage of this Betavolt nuclear battery if it were to be used as an EV battery is the fact that unlike current EV batteries, which tend to dip in performance, and as such, range, in extreme weather (both hot and cold), this battery remains as effective in all weather conditions.
On top of that, the insane durability these Betavolt batteries possess will also truly go a long way in minimising battery fire worries in owners as some EVs are known to spontaneously combust due to the batteries being structurally weaker than these nuclear examples which seem to be all but indestructible.
So what do you guys think? Would this be a good solution to EV battery range? Is nuclear power the way forward or are we willingly walking into a worldwide Chernobyl?
We got all this from The Business Standard and their full article is linked here. Thank you The Business Standard for the information and images.
