Breakthrough: China’s Nuclear Battery Can Power Device’s for Over 100 Years! – (Video)
BY:SpaceEyeNews.
Zhulong-1 Unveiled: A New Dawn in Space Power
In a move that could reshape the future of space missions and autonomous systems on Earth, a Chinese company has unveiled a nuclear battery capable of powering devices continuously for over a century. Named Zhulong-1, this prototype battery runs on carbon-14 (C-14), a radioisotope with an exceptionally long half-life, enabling unmatched longevity in power generation.
Developed by Wuxi Beita Pharmatech Co., Ltd. in collaboration with Northwest Normal University, Zhulong-1 uses cutting-edge semiconductor technology to convert nuclear decay into electricity. This compact device marks a significant shift away from traditional energy storage systems, promising to revolutionize power supply for spacecraft, deep-sea systems, medical implants, and Internet of Things (IoT) networks.
Breakthrough: China’s Nuclear Battery Can Power Devices for Over 100 Years!
How the Technology Works: The Power of C-14 and Silicon Carbide
At the core of Zhulong-1’s innovation is carbon-14, a low-energy beta-emitting isotope commonly known for its role in radiocarbon dating. What makes it ideal for energy applications is its 5,730-year half-life, which ensures a stable and long-lasting decay process that can be harnessed to generate electricity.
The battery uses a silicon-carbide (SiC) semiconductor, a material renowned for its ability to function under high radiation and extreme temperatures. As the C-14 decays, it emits beta particles that interact with the semiconductor material, producing a steady stream of electrical current. This solid-state energy conversion is highly reliable, with no moving parts, no chemical degradation, and no risk of thermal runaway.
Unlike earlier thermoelectric generators that rely on heat gradients, Zhulong-1’s direct beta-voltaic process offers higher energy density and longer operational lifespan, while maintaining compact form factors suitable for miniaturized devices.
Unmatched Performance in Harsh Environments
Zhulong-1 is built to perform where other batteries fail. The battery can operate within a temperature range of -100°C to +200°C, making it perfect for the harsh lunar nights, Martian winters, or deep-ocean trenches. These conditions typically cripple solar-powered systems and drain conventional batteries within days or weeks. Zhulong-1 keeps going, regardless of light or climate.
In early-stage testing, a prototype powered an LED light continuously for nearly four months, demonstrating the battery’s viability in real-world use. The system also achieved an energy density 10 times higher than commercial lithium-ion batteries and showed a degradation rate of less than 5% over 50 years.
The long-term performance makes Zhulong-1 ideal for autonomous systems and missions where maintenance or battery replacement is impractical, such as planetary exploration rovers, subsea monitoring stations, or satellites in deep space.
Applications in Space: Lighting the Way to Interstellar Exploration
One of the most exciting implications of Zhulong-1 is its utility in long-duration space missions. Spacecraft exploring outer planets or interstellar space need dependable power that doesn’t rely on solar input. Traditional batteries degrade quickly, and even Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs), like those used on NASA’s Voyager and Mars missions, are bulky, expensive, and use isotopes like plutonium-238, which are harder to handle and produce.
Zhulong-1 provides a compact, low-emission alternative, allowing for smaller spacecraft with extended mission timelines. In deep space where sunlight is scarce and missions could span decades, a C-14 battery’s continuous output could power instruments, communications, and onboard systems without any human intervention.
It’s not just about powering spacecraft. Space stations, lunar bases, and robotic habitats will require internal power that works regardless of solar conditions. Zhulong-1 could become a foundational power source for future Moon and Mars colonization efforts.
Revolutionizing Life on Earth: From Pacemakers to IoT
Beyond space, Zhulong-1 holds immense promise for civilian and commercial use. In the medical field, it can transform implantable devices, particularly those requiring consistent long-term power like cardiac pacemakers or brain-machine interfaces. Patients may never need replacement surgery simply due to battery expiration—an incredible advancement in quality of life and healthcare economics.
For smart infrastructure and IoT, the battery provides a solution to one of the most significant challenges: power supply at scale. Billions of sensors embedded in cities, agricultural fields, industrial equipment, or natural environments require long-lasting energy sources. Changing or charging all of them isn’t feasible—but installing a nuclear battery that works silently for decades without maintenance is.
Zhulong-1’s energy stability, small size, and zero-maintenance profile could also support autonomous ocean sensors, desert research stations, and unattended communication beacons in remote or disaster-prone regions.
Defense and Surveillance: Silent Power for Critical Missions
While Wuxi Beita has emphasized civilian uses, the military value of Zhulong-1 is impossible to ignore. The battery’s ability to operate undetected in hostile, remote, or isolated locations opens the door for covert surveillance devices, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and long-endurance drones.
In defense contexts, the stakes are high: power failure could mean loss of critical data or compromise of security. Zhulong-1 offers absolute autonomy in energy, meaning surveillance units or tracking nodes can be deployed and left untouched for decades, transmitting data as needed.
Furthermore, space-based reconnaissance platforms, underwater defense infrastructure, and emergency communication systems could all benefit from a self-contained power source immune to temperature, light, or weather.
Zhulong vs Lithium-Ion and Other Batteries
The battery market has been dominated by lithium-ion for years—but its weaknesses are well-known: limited life cycles, sensitivity to temperature and pressure, fire risks, and energy decay over time. Solar power is clean but inconsistent, especially in polar regions, underwater, or in deep space.
Zhulong-1 delivers consistent power, immune to weather and usage cycles, with a lifespan that outlasts not only most missions but possibly the people launching them. Its lack of moving parts or chemical reactions also makes it inherently safer, as there’s no risk of combustion or thermal events.
Still, it’s worth noting that radioactivity handling and shielding are concerns that must be addressed for widespread use. While C-14 is relatively safe, public perception and regulatory frameworks will determine how quickly this tech is adopted.
Cultural Significance: The ‘Torch Dragon’ Awakens
Zhulong-1 is more than a technological feat—it’s also a symbol. The name derives from Zhulong, the mythical Chinese dragon god of light who illuminated the heavens with his fiery gaze. Just like its namesake, this battery is designed to bring light to the darkest, coldest places, and power that endures through time.
China’s decision to name this battery after a mythical being speaks volumes. It’s a cultural statement, aligning innovation with tradition, and placing this technological leap within a broader narrative of national pride and cosmic ambition.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Zhulong-1?
Right now, Zhulong-1 is still in the prototype and testing stage, with demonstrations confirming its stability and efficiency over extended periods. Mass production has yet to begin, and one of the major hurdles will be scaling manufacturing while ensuring radiation safety standards are met.
Cost will also be a factor. Nuclear batteries are more expensive to produce than chemical ones, though that could change with volume and innovation. If successfully commercialized, Zhulong-1 could redefine how we power everything from satellites to smart homes.
What’s likely next is a series of pilot programs in medicine, space tech, and smart infrastructure, followed by broader adoption once regulatory confidence builds.
Conclusion: Lighting the Path for Centuries
Zhulong-1 stands at the frontier of a power revolution. In a world increasingly reliant on autonomous machines, off-grid sensors, and distant space probes, having a battery that lasts a hundred years isn’t just convenient—it’s essential. It represents a shift from temporary solutions to permanent infrastructure, especially in the most inaccessible corners of our world and solar system.
If successful, Zhulong-1 won’t just change how we power devices—it could change the very boundaries of exploration and autonomy. The era of maintenance-free, ever-running machines may just be beginning—and a glowing dragon from ancient lore might be the one leading the way.
References:
https://english.news.cn/20250312/817a4b4ddad8458dab25816b99f12add/c.html
https://www.theweek.in/news/defence/2025/03/14/chinas-zhulong-1-nuclear-battery-promises-decades-of-uninterrupted-power-all-you-need-to-know.html
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