What is a nuclear battery?

Betavolt, a Chinese startup, has developed a small coin-sized nuclear battery that can continuously produce electricity for 50 years without recharging. By moving from development to testing, they are preparing for mass production of their product.

How did they make it?

The Beijing-based company says its nuclear battery is the first to make atomic power small by packing 63 nuclear pieces into a tiny module. It works by converting the energy from these pieces into electricity, an idea from the 1900s.

More information on China’s nuclear battery will charge your smartphone for life (interestingengineering.com).