Russian scientists Alexander Anyikin and Pavel Moiseyev have created a small-sized atomic tritium nuclear battery that can be used to power memory units for storing highly sensitive and important information.
The new beta-voltaic batteries, developed by Anykin in collaboration with scientist Pavel Mosev – work for which they previously won a prestigious scientific award – are distinguished by their ability to operate in extreme environments
Anikin pointed out that one of the application scenarios involves installing these batteries in computers that are transported to areas beyond the Arctic Circle, where the battery ensures that data remains intact and recoverable despite the extreme cold and logistical isolation, as the battery can operate within a wide range of temperatures, ranging from -50°C to +100°C, and most importantly, it does not need to be recharged for decades.
Scientist Pavel Moiseyev explained that the amount of radioactive tritium (the active material in the battery) decreases to half of its original amount after 12.5 years of continuous operation, but the built-in energy reserve ensures that the systems will continue to operate for many more years.
For his part, Alexander Anykin stressed that the essential innovation lies in achieving high efficiency in converting the energy of radioactive decay into an electric current, a technical challenge that has remained intractable for years.
The new technology primarily targets memory units that store sensitive information and startup data, providing a stable power source that ensures data preservation and protects systems from loss even in the most delicate conditions.
