Eseosa Ekanem and Fatimah Sanni, two Nigerian-born scientists living in the United Kingdom, have created the world’s first diamond battery, a stunning breakthrough that has the potential to revolutionise energy storage technology. The discovery, made in their Oxfordshire facility under the Atomic Energy Authority, mixes diamond and atomic energy to create an incredibly long-lasting, sustainable, and safe battery.
Eseosa Ekanem, a Senior Engineer at the Atomic Energy Authority, and Fatimah Sanni, who holds the same title, have harnessed the unique properties of diamonds and the radioactivity of Carbon-14 to create a battery that could last a lifetime. Unlike conventional batteries, which typically offer a few months of usage, these diamond batteries can potentially power devices for decades without the need for replacement.
Speaking with ITV News, Ekanem explained the intricate process involved in developing the technology: “These batteries are made from diamonds that have been specifically run on the lab. So what we are trying to do is have the Carbon-14 incorporated into the diamonds. And diamonds, being a very hard substance, can absorb that radiation and ensure that this radiation doesn’t get out. And so, the actual battery itself is very safe.”
The diamond battery’s core component, Carbon-14, is a radioactive isotope that emits fast-moving electrons as it decays. This emission is harnessed to generate electricity in a highly efficient manner. The use of diamonds in the structure acts as a natural shield, ensuring that the radiation remains contained and does not pose a risk to users or the environment. This innovation sets a new benchmark for energy storage, offering a solution that is safer and significantly longer-lasting than current battery technologies.
The environmental implications of this technology are substantial. Fatimah Sanni, also a Senior Engineer at the Atomic Energy Authority, emphasized the sustainability of their invention. “If you have to change or return or dispose of this battery in any case, you just have to send it back to the manufacturer, they incinerate it, we capture the Carbon-14 bar, and we use it. Literally, it gives us no waste at all,” she said. This process ensures that the technology has a minimal ecological footprint, creating a cycle of reuse that is almost waste-free.
Stephen Wheeler, the Director of Fusion at the Atomic Energy Authority, highlighted the practical applications of this revolutionary technology. “This technology is particularly suitable for places where you can’t access it because it’s in space, sub-sea or you don’t want to access it because it is in a hazardous environment,” he explained. This makes the diamond battery an ideal energy source for remote and extreme environments, such as space missions or deep-sea exploration, where conventional batteries would quickly become ineffective or dangerous.
The implications of this discovery extend far beyond individual use cases. Scientists at Bristol University are now looking into ways to make the diamond battery an affordable alternative to lithium-based batteries. With growing concerns about the environmental impact of mining and the finite nature of lithium resources, the diamond battery represents a promising step toward more sustainable energy solutions.
In addition, the unique durability of these batteries could prove crucial in sectors that require high reliability, such as medical equipment, aerospace technology, and military applications. By combining the best aspects of atomic energy and diamond materials, Ekanem and Sanni’s innovation is poised to drive forward a new era of energy storage technology.
