The Japan Atomic Energy Agency has invented the world's first uranium-based rechargeable battery. In this case, uranium has been used as an 'active material'. This uranium will be used in the electrochemical process inside the battery. In this process, lithium or lead is usually used to cause the flow of electrons inside the battery. In this way, electricity is generated inside the battery. Uranium is being used in the new battery instead of this lithium or lead.
In a press release, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency said, 'We have successfully created a rechargeable battery using uranium as an active material.'
The researchers believe that this innovation will simultaneously solve two major global problems. One, it could bring about a revolutionary change in nuclear waste management. And two, it will open the door to new possibilities as an effective energy storage.
What is the active material?
To get electricity from a battery, a potential difference is created inside it. You can think of potential as pressure in the case of water. Water flows or flows from high pressure to low pressure. Similarly, electrons flow from the side where the negative charge is more (low potential) to the side where the positive charge is more (high potential). For this, there is an anode or negative electrode on one side inside the battery. On the other side, there is a cathode or positive electrode. Usually, the anode contains the necessary lithium, lead or some such metal. This is where the oxidation or oxidation of these metals occurs. Then, electrons flow from the anode to the cathode through a wire or conductor.
That is, the materials in the electrode directly participate in the electrochemical process inside the battery. Therefore, they are called 'active materials'. As a result, electrons flow, and electricity is obtained from there. Uranium has been used in the new battery as this active material.
New possibilities in nuclear waste management
According to the research team, the properties of the uranium used in this study are similar to depleted uranium. In simple terms, the excess or surplus uranium that remains after uranium enrichment for use as nuclear fuel is called depleted uranium. These currently have to be specially stored as nuclear waste. This research will provide a solution to this problem.
According to the research team, ‘Uranium has several interesting properties. That is why it has been thought of as a potential active material for chemical batteries for a long time.’ This study has finally been implemented. Through this, the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency says, ‘Depleted uranium can be used. Nuclear waste management will also be easier as a result.’
Prototype performance
The prototype battery used in the experiment was 10 centimeters long and 5 centimeters wide. It used a uranium-containing electrolyte or electrolytic cell as the anode. And an iron-containing electrolytic cell as the cathode.
The battery was used by charging it 10 times. During this time, it was able to achieve 1.3 volts. The press release said that its performance was stable.
There are about 16,000 tons of depleted uranium in Japan alone. And there are 1.6 million or 1.6 million tons in the whole world. Overall, if this battery can be commercialized, it is expected to bring about a major change in battery technology.
Japan is not the first to invent batteries based on nuclear waste
Japan has invented the first such battery using depleted uranium. However, earlier, a group of researchers from Ohio State University in the United States invented batteries using cesium-137 and cobalt-60. These are also radioactive waste. That research is also considered quite promising. In fact, various types of research are being conducted on nuclear batteries all over the world. There is no other way but to wait and see which one will be considered suitable to come to the market first.