30 Year Continuous Power Laptop Battery

Oct 19, 2007 1430 hrs IST

Bye bye, charger and spare batteries

Tired of carrying your laptop charger and spare batteries around? Soon you won't have to. Thanks to work being funded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, laptop batteries could have a continuous power battery that lasts for 30 years without a single recharge.

Scientists have developed the breakthrough betavoltaic power cells that are constructed from semiconductors and use radioisotopes as the energy source. As the radioactive material decays, it emits beta particles that transform into electric power that is capable of fueling an electrical device like a laptop for years.

Though they sound nuclear, they're not. They don't use fission, fusion, or chemical processes to produce energy and therefore don't produce any radioactive or hazardous waste. Betavoltaics generate power when an electron strikes a particular interface between 2 layers of material. The process uses beta electron emissions that occur when a neutron decays into a proton, which causes a forward bias in the semiconductor. This makes the betavoltaic cell a forward bias diode of sorts, similar in some respects to a photovoltaic (solar) cell. Electrons scatter out of their normal orbits in the semiconductor and into the circuit, creating a usable electric current.

The profile of the batteries can be quite small and thin. A porous silicon material is used to collect the hydrogen isotope tritium, which is generated in the process. The reaction is non-thermal, which means laptops and other small devices like mobile phones will run much cooler than with traditional lithium-ion power batteries.

The best part about these cells is when they eventually run out of power: They're totally inert and non-toxic, so environmentalists needn't fear these high-tech scientific wonder batteries. If all goes well, plans are for these cells to reach store shelves in 2 or 3 years.

USER COMMENTS

Yea, yea thanks ! It was me and my honey who invented it. We did it one night and just like that Bingo , it was invented. Thanks again.

by inventor, Mumbai, on Nov 03, 2007 10:27 PM, Report abuse Reply

crap. un-researched, un-verifed bull-shit

by Anonymous, india, on Oct 28, 2007 09:58 PM, Report abuse Reply

very amazning product with full of surprised qualities.

by Ashish Kumar, Faridabad, on Oct 26, 2007 02:55 PM, Report abuse Reply

kya mazaak hai

by Sudhir, delhi, on Oct 22, 2007 07:06 PM, Report abuse Reply

Wow, what's the price. I wnat to buy it now at any cost

by Sudhir, delhi, on Oct 22, 2007 07:05 PM, Report abuse Reply

what a invention..great..hats off to those researchers n scientist

by satyanjoy, ahmedabad, on Oct 19, 2007 03:19 PM, Report abuse Reply

Lets hope for the best, Thanks Satyanjoy

by kunjikaly, Cochin, on Oct 22, 2007 06:30 PM, Report abuse

The author should research his material before taking his readers for the same ride as himself.

by Lucio, Panaji, on Oct 22, 2007 02:38 PM, Report abuse Reply

This seems to be the solutions for world power... this is wonderful

by Manikandan C. N, Mumbai, on Oct 21, 2007 09:44 PM, Report abuse Reply

If this betavoltaic process can be used in batteries, then why not in Nuclear thermal power stations. If this is possible then we can have Neat n Harmless source of energy. Great Innovation..

by Mr. Sonu, NOIDA, on Oct 21, 2007 08:29 PM, Report abuse Reply

It's great to know that the idea has been conceieved........it may take long for it to reach the average consumer....but that was true for plasma televisions too at one point of time......so I hopeful of seeing and using these in a couple of years time....cheers

by Sandeep, Delhi, on Oct 21, 2007 04:49 PM, Report abuse Reply

"so I am hopeful".......sorry for the typo

by Sandeep, Delhi, on Oct 21, 2007 04:51 PM, Report abuse

nice one.

by Vijendra, Mumbai, on Oct 21, 2007 03:59 PM, Report abuse Reply

Is that the picture of such a battery? IF it is then why does it say rechargeable battery pack on it? LOL

by SASH, OZ, on Oct 21, 2007 10:22 AM, Report abuse Reply

Simply superb.But only the advantages are mentioned here.Yes it is neede for its publicity.But I would really like to know the DIS-ADVANTAGES of this battery.

by CV.C.V, Bengaluru, on Oct 20, 2007 09:38 PM, Report abuse Reply

We don't know 'bout the disadvantages yet, but the price is surly going to be DISAPOINTING for most of us.

by Samuel Konger, Itanagar, on Oct 20, 2007 10:43 PM, Report abuse

More then laptops, I hope it is customised to meet medical equipments charging requirements and will be a blessing for them

by Rajiv Menon, Melbourne, on Oct 20, 2007 05:07 AM, Report abuse Reply

Once a battery pack has been launched, that lasts for 30 years or so, we can use it for any purpose we like.

by Samuel Konger, Itanagar, on Oct 20, 2007 10:39 PM, Report abuse

I want to purchase this product , how to purchase and price details.

by Nilesh Joshi, Nadiad (GUJ) INDIA, on Oct 20, 2007 12:54 PM, Report abuse Reply

Send me the payment now, I will courer you battery within 30 years.

by Joke, Jokerpur, on Oct 20, 2007 08:18 PM, Report abuse

Didn't you read it carefully? it is supposed to launch after 2-3 years........

by Samuel Konger, Itanagar, on Oct 20, 2007 10:34 PM, Report abuse

hope so innnitially the cost will be so high that 30 year powering battery will cost u as much as u will continously buy nwe battery and charger for ur laptop for next 15 years !!!!!

by Shalin, Rajkot, on Oct 20, 2007 11:19 AM, Report abuse Reply

Nice Assumption!! That's Obvious!!!

by Samuel Konger, Itanagar, on Oct 20, 2007 10:30 PM, Report abuse

This will never hit the market. imagine the loss other battery manufatures will have!!!

by Dylan Colaco, Vasco, on Oct 19, 2007 08:23 PM, Report abuse Reply

It might so does computers, mobile phones, internet etc which was initially though that they will create unemployment, they will create huge losses but instead they only created new opportunities.

by vishesh, chandigarh, on Oct 20, 2007 07:56 AM, Report abuse

Why don't you try to appreciate someone's innovation rather then condeming?

by Samuel Konger, Itanagar, on Oct 20, 2007 10:28 PM, Report abuse

it want hit indian market for sure. just imagine U.S trying to lend a hand with heavy cost and improve india, what a joke. Well lucky U.S citizen , getting what government takes from other government.

by get_saif, Bangalore, on Oct 19, 2007 09:29 PM, Report abuse Reply

Improve yor Enlish First!!!

by Samuel Konger, Itanagar, on Oct 20, 2007 10:23 PM, Report abuse

Improve your English First!!!

by Samuel Konger, Itanagar, on Oct 20, 2007 10:25 PM, Report abuse

A FEATURE OF A FEATURE....! NICE WORK

by Abyi, Mumbai, on Oct 20, 2007 11:42 AM, Report abuse Reply

A real amazing and wonderful creation by the dedicated scientists and researchers,who have added another feather in their cap.Best part is that the product is environment friendly.Let's keep our fingers crossed that it hits the Indian Market at the earliest.

by Kuldeep Agrawal, New Delhi, on Oct 20, 2007 11:16 AM, Report abuse Reply

Great invention. congrats for the people who found it. happy to know it is environmentaly safe.

by poomi, cuddalore, on Oct 20, 2007 03:02 AM, Report abuse Reply

future needs thses kind of inventions...congrates to all who are involued

by nani, hyderabad, on Oct 19, 2007 09:06 PM, Report abuse Reply