The US firm NRD LLC, a company dealing with nuclear materials, has unveiled the NBV solid-state battery, which they market as a power source capable of lasting over a century without the need for recharging or upkeep. This device is engineered for ultra-low-power electronics destined for deployment in remote, hard-to-reach, or hazardous maintenance zones.
Within the NBV, electrical current is generated by harnessing the radioactive decay of Nickel-63 and subsequently transforming that energy. NRD emphasizes that the battery features a completely sealed, solid-state architecture, making it ideal for applications where physically swapping conventional batteries is nearly unfeasible.
NRD reports that the NBV delivers an output ranging from 5 to 500 nanowatts. Given its dimensions of 20 × 20 × 12 mm, the unit falls into the category of power supplies for extremely low-power systems. Potential uses include sensors, data loggers, monitoring setups, industrial telemetry, environmental probes, and other gadgets requiring a consistent yet minimal energy supply.
The company also suggests the battery could be beneficial for autonomous AI platforms, security apparatus, and remote infrastructure oversight installations. However, NRD has not yet provided specifics regarding timelines for commercial release or large-scale manufacturing.
The projected lifespan hinges on the half-life of Nickel-63, though actual performance metrics will ultimately be dictated by the design’s efficiency, the quality of its protective shielding, and how it is integrated into individual devices.
Interestingly, back in 2024, the Chinese firm Betavolt Technology showcased a similarly sized battery also utilizing Nickel-63, which was likewise estimated to have an operational life spanning roughly one hundred years.
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