Still, the researchers believe the battery could last for at least several decades—a vast improvement over the ten-year life of lithium-ion batteries. However, there’s a significant drawback: power output. This micronuclear battery produces far less energy than typical batteries.
Its creators say it could deliver energy for remote devices, medical implants, and even spacecraft, where replacing batteries is virtually impossible. The proposed micronuclear battery is made up of americium, a man-made radioactive element produced during the fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear reactors.
Lithium-sulfur batteries have never lived up to their potential as the next generation of renewable batteries for electric vehicles and other devices. But ?SMU mechanical engineer Donghai Wang and his research team have found a way to make these Li-S batteries last longer -- with higher energy levels -- than existing renewable batteries.
Furthermore, the radioactive decay remains unaffected by environmental factors such as temperature, pressure and magnetic fields, making the micronuclear battery an enduring and reliable power source in scenarios in which conventional batteries prove impractical or challenging to replace.”
Batteries can be either mobile, like those in electric vehicles, or stationary, like those needed for utility-scale electricity grid storage. As the nation transitions to a clean, renewables-powered electric grid, batteries will need to evolve to handle increased demand and provide improved performance in a sustainable way.
"This breakthrough could lead to more durable, long-lasting batteries," said Wang, the Brown Foundation Chair of Mechanical Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at SMU Lyle.