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Researchers at Ohio State University have developed an innovative battery that converts gamma rays from nuclear waste into electricity. The process involves a scintillator crystal that transforms ionizing radiation into visible light, which is then captured by a miniature photovoltaic cell.

Currently, the device measures 4 cm3 and can produce up to 1.5 microwatts, sufficient for autonomous sensors in hostile environments. Key advantages include the absence of radioactive materials within the battery and the potential for decades of operation without recharging. The technology could be used in specific applications such as near reactors or on space probes, although further improvements in efficiency and battery size are needed for industrial use.