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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the BBC News or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Scientists at the UK Atomic Energy Authority and the University of Bristol have created the carbon-14 diamond battery, capable of powering devices for thousands of years
• Encased in diamond, this innovative battery emits no harmful radiation and requires no replacement, making it ideal for medical devices and extreme environments
• The technology also provides a solution for safely managing nuclear waste
🔭 The context: Carbon-14, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,700 years, is extracted from nuclear waste like graphite blocks
• The battery captures electrons from within the diamond, functioning similarly to solar panels but using radiation instead of light
• This approach reduces the challenges of storing radioactive waste while offering a long-lasting energy source
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The diamond battery could reduce reliance on conventional batteries, cutting down on electronic waste
• Its ability to repurpose nuclear waste into a sustainable energy source aligns with global goals for a cleaner and safer environment
⏭️ What's next: Researchers plan to explore applications for space exploration, medical implants, and security devices
• Collaboration with industry partners will help scale and refine the technology for broader use over the coming years
💬 One quote: “Our micropower technology can support a whole range of important applications from space technologies and security devices through to medical implants.” — Professor Tom Scott, University of Bristol
📈 One stat: The UK has 95,000 tonnes of graphite blocks in nuclear plants, a source for carbon-14 used in these batteries
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