Batteries from Nuclear Waste: How Does It Work?

Batteries made from nuclear waste, often referred to as "diamond batteries," use radioactive isotopes to produce energy in a sustainable and safe manner. One of the key isotopes used is carbon-14, extracted from certain nuclear waste.

## Manufacturing Steps

### 1. Extraction of the Radioactive Isotope

Nuclear waste, such as irradiated graphite in reactors, contains carbon-14. This isotope is isolated using chemical processes.

```plaintext

[Nuclear waste]

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[Extracted carbon-14]

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### 2. Creation of a Radioactive Diamond

The recovered carbon-14 is transformed into synthetic diamond using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. This diamond acts as an energy source. The natural decay of carbon-14 produces particles that generate electricity.

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[Carbon-14]

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[Synthetic radioactive diamond]

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### 3. Encapsulation

To ensure safety, the diamond containing carbon-14 is encapsulated in a protective layer of non-radioactive diamond. This prevents any radiation leakage and protects users.

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[Radioactive diamond]

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[Encapsulation (protection)]

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### 4. Conversion to Energy

The decay of carbon-14 releases electrons, which are collected to produce an electric current. This battery, although low-power, can last for thousands of years, making it ideal for specific applications such as satellites or medical implants.

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[Secure encapsulation]

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[Electricity produced]

Advantages

- **Exceptional lifespan**: Up to 10,000 years.

- **Recycling of radioactive waste**: Reduces the stock of nuclear waste to be stored.

- **Enhanced safety**: Encapsulation prevents any harmful radiation.