Have you ever heard of diamonds? Those precious crystals that have always sparkled and fascinated humanity? Now they have a new power: combined with carbon 14, they become tiny energy plants capable of functioning for thousands of years. This is the discovery which comes fromUniversity of Bristol.
The Science of Carbon 14 in the Structure of Diamond
The underlying principle is as simple as it is ingenious: exploit the radioactive decay of carbon 14, a process that takes 5.700 years. Instead of using light like solar panels do, this technology captures the electrons high energy particles that move within the crystalline structure of the diamond.
The system is designed to maximize the efficiency of this energy conversion. The energy produced by the decay of carbon 14 is channeled and converted into usable electricity, creating a constant and predictable power source.
This is a very exciting development in microscale nuclear power: an elegant solution for powering devices that require low power but long life.
Practical applications of the new technology
Il Professor Tom Scott is enthusiastic about the potential applications of this discovery. The fields of use are vast: from space technology to safety devices, up to medical implants. The versatility of the technology opens up previously unthinkable application scenarios.
In the medical field, the microgenerators Carbon-14 batteries could power implantable devices such as pacemakers, eliminating the need for surgery to replace batteries. In the space sector, could provide reliable power to satellites and probes for decades.
Safety was a priority in development: the carbon 14 is completely isolated within the diamond structure, making the device safe for any application.
From Nuclear Fusion to Energy Diamonds
To create these special diamonds, scientists built a dedicated apparatus at the UKAEA Culham Campus in southern Oxfordshire, a few miles from Oxford and about 80 miles west of London. The system of plasma deposition allows you to grow diamonds with precise and controlled characteristics.
This innovation is an indirect result of research on nuclear fusion. It is no coincidence that the campus also hosts the Joint European Tour (JET), the world's largest fusion research facility, operational since 1983, which has set world records in fusion performance.
The experience gained in this field has accelerated the development of related technologies, demonstrating how scientific research can lead to remarkable “collateral” discoveries.
Carbon 14 and sustainable energy
The implications of this discovery are significant for the future of energy. The possibility of having energy sources that last millennia opens up new prospects for devices that operate in extreme or difficult-to-access environments.
Scientists are already exploring new applications and improvements to the technology, which could reduce dependence on traditional batteries in many applications, contributing to a greener future.
The success of this innovation will depend on the ability to make it accessible on a large scale, but the premises are extremely promising.
