NRD LLC unveils NBV nickel-63 solid-state battery for over 100 years

Power is produced through the radioactive decay of nickel-63

US firm NRD LLC, which works with nuclear materials, has unveiled its NBV solid-state battery. The company describes it as a power source capable of operating for more than 100 years without recharging or maintenance. The device is aimed at ultra-low-power electronics deployed in remote, hard-to-reach, or hazardous-to-service locations.

In the NBV, energy comes from the radioactive decay of nickel-63 and is then converted into an electric current. NRD stresses that the battery uses a fully sealed solid-state design, making it suitable for situations where replacing conventional batteries is effectively impossible.

NRD says the NBV delivers 5 to 500 nanowatts of power. With dimensions of 20 × 20 × 12 mm, the unit sits in the category of power sources for extremely low-power systems. Potential uses include sensors, data loggers, monitoring systems, industrial telemetry, environmental sensors, and other equipment that needs a continuous but minimal flow of energy.

Potential applications for NBV in security, infrastructure and AI

The company also claims the battery could prove useful for autonomous AI platforms, security systems, and remote infrastructure monitoring sites. However, NRD has not yet provided details on timelines for a commercial launch or large-scale production.

Service life factors beyond the nickel-63 half-life

The stated lifespan is tied to the half-life of nickel-63, but real-world performance will depend on design efficiency, protective shielding, and how the battery is integrated into specific devices.

It is also noteworthy that in 2024, China’s Betavolt Technology presented a similarly sized nickel-63 battery, likewise intended to last for roughly 100 years.