Technological breakthrough: scientists have developed a battery that converts nuclear waste into electricity.

Researchers from Ohio State University have made a significant breakthrough in energy conservation. They have developed a nuclear battery that can convert nuclear waste into electricity.

The American team has already tested a prototype of the next-generation battery. This battery can capture sufficient nuclear radiation to power microchips.

Nuclear batteries are known for their ability to generate electricity for decades without the need for recharging or maintenance.

This revolutionary battery collects surrounding gamma radiation from spent nuclear fuel and converts it into light using scintillation crystals. This light is then converted into electricity using solar cells.

'We are collecting what is considered waste and naturally trying to turn it into treasure,' said Raymond Kao, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Ohio State University, who led the research.

The battery is safe to touch as it contains no radioactive materials. However, it is not intended for widespread use. Scientists plan to use these batteries in nuclear systems for space and deep-sea research.

The technology is also being developed in China as part of the country's five-year plan. The Chinese company Betavolt has already started producing nuclear batteries for commercial use, such as in phones, drones, and medical devices.

The prototype created in Ohio is approximately the size of a sugar cube and can produce 1.5 microwatts of energy. Larger versions are expected to generate significantly more electricity.

'These are groundbreaking results in terms of output power. This process is still in the initial stages, but the next step will be generating more watts using scalable designs. The concept of a nuclear battery has great potential in energy generation and in the sensor industry,' said Ibrahim Oksuz, a research fellow in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Ohio State University.