Scientists at the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have revealed something extraordinary: the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery, which could power small devices continuously for thousands of years. This isn't about replacing your phone’s battery—it's about powering tools in extreme, remote, or tiny spaces where battery replacement is nearly impossible.

Here’s how it works: the battery uses the radioactive isotope carbon-14, which has a half-life of about 5,700 years. As carbon-14 decays, it emits beta particles (electrons), which are captured by a synthetic diamond film to produce a tiny, steady current. The carbon-14 is encased safely within diamond—this structure acts as its own shield, preventing harmful radiation from escaping.

Potential uses are especially exciting: medical implants like pacemakers, space missions that need power for decades, tracking tags in harsh environments, and security devices. Because there are no moving parts and very little maintenance, the battery could last far beyond what standard chemical batteries allow.

Scientists are now focused on scaling up production, improving the power output a little (it’s low for now), and making the process more cost-effective. Even if this takes years, the step is huge: turning nuclear waste (carbon-14 from old reactor graphite) into something long-lasting and useful. That’s what’s right with the world.