Article

Researchers at Ohio State University have created a groundbreaking battery that converts gamma rays from nuclear waste into electricity using a scintillator crystal and a photovoltaic cell. Measuring just 4 cm³, the device generates up to 1.5 microwatts, making it suitable for autonomous sensors in challenging environments, and boasts advantages such as no radioactive materials and potential decades of operation without recharging. While promising for applications near reactors or in space, further enhancements in efficiency and size are needed for broader industrial use.