In early 2025, Beijing-based Betavolt Technology unveiled a drone powered by a revolutionary Betavoltaic battery, the BV100, which converts beta radiation from nickel-63 into electricity. Unlike nuclear reactors, this coin-sized power source poses no meltdown risk and produces minimal waste, decaying into stable copper after 50 years. Promising unlimited flight time, it could transform surveillance, space missions, and disaster response by keeping drones aloft indefinitely. Tests in March 2025 showed stable energy output, but hurdles remain: low power density limits speed and payload, safety fears linger despite claims of harmless radiation, and global regulators hesitate to approve nuclear-powered civilian tech. If scaled up, this drone could outlast any rival, redefining aerial endurance.
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