Part 1 of 2 Parts

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is a nuclear research and development organization in Japan. JAEA carries out research and development in various fields with the intent of assisting in the realization of a carbon-neutral, resource-efficient society as well as contributing to human society. JAEA has developed the world’s first “uranium rechargeable battery”. Testing of the new battery prototype has verified its performance in charging and discharging.

A betavoltaic device (betavoltaic cell or betavoltaic battery) is a type of nuclear battery that generates electric current from beta particles (electrons) emitted from a radioactive source, using semiconductor junctions. Unlike most nuclear power sources which use nuclear radiation to generate heat which then is used to generate electricity, betavoltaic devices use a non-thermal conversion process, converting the electron-hole pairs produced by the ionization trail of beta particles traversing a semiconductor into electricity. Betavoltaic power sources (and the related technology of alphavoltaic power sources which have not been technologically successful to date primarily because the alpha particles damage the semiconductor material) are particularly well-suited to low-power electrical applications where long life of the energy source is needed, such as implantable medical devices or military and space applications

The uranium storage battery utilizes depleted uranium (DU) as the negative electrode active material and iron as the positive one according to the JAEA. The single-cell voltage of the prototype uranium rechargeable battery is one and three tenths volts, which is close to that of a common alkaline battery at one and five tenths volts.

The prototype battery was charged and discharged ten times, and the performance of the battery was virtually unchanged, which indicates relatively stable cycling characteristics.

JAEA noted, “To utilize DU as a new resource, the concept of rechargeable batteries using uranium as an active material was proposed in the early 2000s. “No studies were reporting the specific performance of the assembled uranium rechargeable batteries. If uranium rechargeable batteries are increased in capacity and put to practical use, the large amount of DU stored in Japan will become a new resource for output controls in the electricity supply grid derived from renewable energy, thereby contributing to the realization of a decarbonized society.” JAEA is now working on increasing the capacity of uranium storage batteries (the amount of electricity they can store) by circulating the electrolyte.

According to JAEA, there is currently about sixteen thousand tons of depleted uranium stored in Japan and about one and sixths tenths million tons stored worldwide.

JAEA said, “Specifically, we will be examining whether it is possible to increase capacity by increasing the amount of circulating electrolyte and the concentration of uranium and iron, and what the optimal materials are for the electrodes and membranes that make up the storage battery. If we are successful in increasing the capacity of uranium storage batteries and put them to practical use and implemented in society using depleted uranium stored in Japan, we can expect them to play new roles such as adjusting supply and demand for mega solar power plants.”

JAEA explained that the need for rechargeable batteries has been rising in recent years with an increase in the introduction of renewable energy sources. Power generation from solar, wind, and other sources is affected by weather conditions and has the problem of fluctuating power generation. To stabilize the power supply in this situation, output controls via energy storage devices such as rechargeable batteries are required, and the development of new energy storage technologies is attracting attention.

Please read Part 2 next

Japan Atomic Energy Agency

A top U.K. nuclear agency has accelerated efforts to develop robust sensing technologies for use in future nuclear fusion power plants. The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) awarded contracts to thirteen organizations to develop a range of sensing and diagnostic technologies for use in extreme environments. This is an essential field of innovation for future fusion power plants.

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is a UK government research organization responsible for the development of fusion energy. It is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

The UKAEA said that novel sensing and diagnostic systems will be needed to measure a range of data within a fusion power plant. These include plasma position and shape, plasma electron density, temperature, and the performance of plasma-facing components.

The nuclear agency underlined that fusion power plants will operate under complex conditions, including extreme temperatures, high neutron loads, and high magnetic fields.

Developing highly specialized, robust sensing and control technologies that can operate under these extreme conditions is critical to making fusion energy a commercially viable part of the world’s energy mix, according to UKAEA.

Tim Bestwick is Chief Technology Officer and Deputy CEO at UKAEA. He said, “Fusion promises to be a safe, sustainable source of energy for future generations. However, delivering fusion means overcoming complex scientific and engineering challenges, such as developing tough sensors to withstand fusion’s harsh environments. The Fusion Industry Program is engaging private companies and academia to help solve these challenges, while stimulating innovation that can boost adjacent sectors.”

Worth four and a half billion dollars in total, sixteen contracts have been awarded by UKAEA’s Fusion Industry Program, an initiative launched in 2021 to develop the necessary technology and skills for the future global fusion power plant market.

UKAEA stated that thirteen organizations will now undertake technical feasibility studies, taking their sensing and diagnostics technologies to the ‘proof of concept’ stages with support from the Fusion Industry Program.

In a first for the Fusion Industry Program, expert fusion industry support is being supplied by technical advisors from both UKAEA and Tokamak Energy Ltd. Experts from UKAEA and Tokamak Energy are providing technical advice on the conditions found in a fusion environment to help inform the design and development of sensing and diagnostic technologies, according to a press release by UKAEA.

Joanne Flanagan is Tokamak Energy’s head of Diagnostics, Data and Control. She said, “We’re delighted to see a wealth of variety in the innovative responses to this challenge and are excited to support the projects in our role as technical advisors.”

Flanagan explained that measurement systems and components would need to be extremely robust to operate in the extreme fusion power plant environment, which is why a full range of technologies, ideas, and solutions must be explored.

Flanagan concluded that “This challenge is designed to stimulate the innovation needed to address this development, bringing us all one step closer to the goal of delivering clean, secure and affordable fusion energy.”

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority