The development of next-generation nuclear-powered batteries is gaining momentum in Asia, with Japan and South Korea unveiling promising prototypes. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has successfully developed the world’s first “uranium rechargeable battery,” while South Korean researchers have produced a betavoltaic battery powered by the carbon-14 isotope.
Japan’s Uranium Rechargeable Battery
JAEA’s breakthrough uranium storage battery utilizes depleted uranium (DU) as the negative electrode active material and iron as the positive one. The prototype delivers a single-cell voltage of 1.3 volts, comparable to common alkaline batteries (1.5 volts). Testing has demonstrated stable performance across ten charge-discharge cycles, suggesting promising cycling characteristics.
The concept of using uranium in rechargeable batteries was first proposed in the early 2000s, but JAEA’s research is the first to report specific performance data of assembled uranium rechargeable batteries. With approximately 16,000 tons of depleted uranium stored in Japan and around 1.6 million tons globally, repurposing this material for energy storage could provide a sustainable solution for grid output control, particularly in balancing renewable energy sources.
JAEA is now focused on enhancing the battery’s capacity by optimizing the circulation of electrolytes, increasing uranium and iron concentrations, and selecting optimal electrode and membrane materials. The agency believes that a successful upscaling of uranium storage batteries could significantly contribute to stabilizing power supply fluctuations in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
Korea’s Betavoltaic Battery with Carbon-14
Meanwhile, researchers in South Korea have developed a prototype betavoltaic battery utilizing carbon-14, an unstable and radioactive isotope of carbon. This type of battery, which relies on beta decay to generate electricity, has the potential to last for decades—or even millennia—without recharging.
Su-Il In, a professor at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, will present the findings at the upcoming spring meeting of the American Chemical Society from March 23 to 27. The demand for long-lasting batteries is increasing, particularly for data centers and computing technologies, making betavoltaic batteries an attractive solution.
Radiocarbon is an inexpensive and readily available by-product of nuclear power plants. Because it emits only beta radiation, it is considered relatively safe to use. Its slow degradation rate makes it an ideal candidate for ultra-long-lasting power sources in critical applications.
The Future of Nuclear Batteries
The global shift toward renewable energy is driving demand for advanced battery technologies capable of stabilizing power grids. As intermittent energy sources like solar and wind become more prevalent, efficient and long-lasting storage solutions are essential.
Both uranium rechargeable batteries and betavoltaic batteries hold great potential for the future of energy storage. While Japan’s technology could repurpose existing nuclear waste into valuable grid storage, Korea’s innovation could provide ultra-long-lasting power for specialized applications. As research progresses, these nuclear-powered batteries may soon play a vital role in the next generation of sustainable energy solutions.
