Researchers from the University of Missouri have developed a longer lasting and more efficient water-based battery.

For years, batteries have been used for a wide variety of electronics and electronic gadgets. Current batteries convert stored chemical energy, using one or more electrochemical cells to turn it into electrical energy.

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This new battery uses betavoltaics.

Betavoltaics is a battery technology capable of generating electricity from radiation.

The battery uses the power of a radioactive isotope. It boosts the electrochemical energy inside a water-based solution. Then, a nanostructured titanium dioxide collects and converts the energy into electrons.

This new type of battery has been studied as a suitable energy source since the 1950s, said Jae Kwon, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and nuclear engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri.

He goes on to say that the use of water increases the possibilities of the battery.

"Water acts as a buffer and surface plasmons created in the device turned out to be very useful in increasing its efficiency," he said.

He added this ionic solution is not easily frozen. This is a good thing as it can be used for many applications such as car batteries.

It is also the hope of NASA that betavoltaics can be used in spacecraft. When the betavoltaics are perfected, it will have the capability of lasting as long as 100 years. NASA also does research on betavoltaics and alphavoltaics technology.

Apart from its longevity, betavoltaics will also be able to survive low temperatures and harsh environments.

While betavoltaic technology has been around for a while, it has been too expensive to mass produce. New advances have opened the door for it, however.  

TagsBetavoltaics, Jae W. Kwon, Water-based batteries