The Need
There is a critical need for compact, long-lasting, and maintenance-free power sources for applications where conventional energy harvesting is impractical or impossible. These include deep space missions, implantable medical devices, and remote or harsh environments where solar or thermoelectric systems fail due to lack of sunlight or extreme conditions. Current nuclear batteries are limited by low efficiency, high cost, and complex fabrication. A scalable, efficient, and cost-effective solution is urgently needed.

The Technology
This patented technology introduces a novel class of charge-generating devices that integrate radioactive isotopes directly into the crystal lattice of perovskite materials. These intrinsically radioactive perovskites emit beta or gamma radiation, generating electron-hole pairs within the material. The resulting charge is harvested using built-in p-n junctions or scintillator-photovoltaic architectures. The devices can operate continuously for decades without external power or light, offering a compact and scalable alternative to traditional nuclear batteries.

Commercial Applications
• Power sources for implantable medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, neurostimulators)
• Long-duration energy supply for space or deep-sea exploration equipment
• Autonomous sensors in remote or extreme environments
• Microelectronics and IoT devices requiring ultra-long battery life

Benefits/Advantages
• Intrinsic Energy Source: Eliminates need for external radiation or sunlight
• Extended Lifetime: Radioisotopes with long half-lives enable multi-decade operation
• Low-Cost Fabrication: Compatible with solution-based perovskite processing
• High Energy Density: Radioisotopes embedded at the atomic level maximize output
• Versatile Architectures: Supports both direct charge harvesting and scintillator-PV configurations