Unlocking the potential of battery technology like never before, a California-based company, NDB, is making bold claims about a groundbreaking nano-diamond battery. Imagine a cellphone power source lasting nine years, an auto-battery pack with a nearly century-long lifespan, and a pacemaker running for an astonishing 28,000 years!
Harnessing Radioactive Waste for Energy
NDB’s secret weapon? Radioactive nuclear waste, the byproduct of nuclear plant facilities. This waste, notorious for its toxicity and thousands-of-years lifespan, poses disposal challenges. However, NDB aims to turn this environmental challenge into an energy solution. By processing graphite nuclear waste into pure form and then transforming it into diamonds, NDB creates a unique battery.
As the diamond-wrapped waste decays, it interacts with carbon, generating a constant electric current. The result? A battery that never needs recharging and could power devices for a lifetime and beyond. The applications are limitless, from everyday gadgets to medical devices and satellites, even in remote areas where routine maintenance is challenging.
From Concept to Reality: Charging iPhones at Unprecedented Rates
While NDB is yet to produce a prototype, their vision is captivating. Neel Naicker, NDB’s chief strategy officer, envisions a future where an iPhone charges from zero to full five times an hour with the same-sized battery. The potential is staggering – a world where battery charging becomes obsolete for days, weeks, or even decades.
Addressing Skepticism in Tech Circles
Despite the enthusiasm, some in the tech community express cautious skepticism. Loz Blain, a tech writer at New Atlas, highlights the need for concrete output figures, stating that claims without proof remain uncertain. Steven Novella of NEUROLOGICA blog questions the power density of NDB’s batteries compared to traditional ones.
NDB acknowledges the skepticism but remains confident in their technology. They plan to start working on a prototype once pandemic-related challenges ease, with the goal of unveiling a working model within two years.
Turning Harm into Power: NDB’s Environmental Mission
In the pursuit of innovation, NDB sees an opportunity to address environmental challenges. Neel Naicker sums it up, “We’ve taken something that’s really harmful to the environment, a problem, and created energy.” NDB’s nano-diamond battery could be the solution we’ve been waiting for.