Nuclear Battery Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Type (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators, Betavoltaic Batteries, Thermophotovoltaic Cells, Diamond Nuclear Batteries), By Power Output (Low-Power, Medium-Power, High-Power), By Application (Space Missions, Medical Devices, Remote Sensing and Monitoring Systems, Defense and Military Equipment, Industrial Equipment), By End-User (Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare, Energy, Research Institutions, Industrial/Commercial), And By Geography – Forecasts From 2025 To 2030

Nuclear Battery Market:

The nuclear battery market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.39%, rising from US$81.518 billion in 2025 to US$116.448 billion in 2030.

The nuclear battery market is gaining momentum as a transformative segment within the energy storage industry, offering long-life power sources for applications requiring reliable, maintenance-free energy in extreme or remote environments. Nuclear batteries, also known as atomic batteries, harness energy from the radioactive decay of isotopes to generate electricity, distinct from nuclear reactors as they do not rely on chain reactions. Technologies like radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and betavoltaic cells convert heat or radiation into electrical power, serving critical sectors such as aerospace, defense, medical, and IoT. The market is driven by the need for compact, durable energy solutions and advancements in nuclear microbattery designs, which promise enhanced efficiency and scalability. Nuclear batteries operate by converting energy from radioactive decay—either heat (via RTGs) or beta particles (via betavoltaic cells)—into electricity. RTGs, historically used in space missions like NASA’s Voyager, rely on thermocouples to convert heat from isotopes like plutonium-238 into power, offering outputs of hundreds of watts. Betavoltaic cells, using isotopes like tritium or nickel-63, generate microwatts to milliwatts via semiconductor-based conversion, ideal for low-power devices. These long-life power sources excel in applications where traditional batteries falter, such as deep-space probes, medical implants, and remote sensors. Their ability to operate for decades without maintenance makes them invaluable in environments where recharging or replacement is impractical. The nuclear battery market is expanding due to technological advancements and growing demand for reliable power in challenging conditions. In 2025, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) issued a Request for Expression of Interest to license their nuclear microbattery and SLOWPOKE reactor technologies, targeting applications like district heating and electricity for up to 15 years without refueling. Similarly, in October 2024, Chinese researchers unveiled a nuclear microbattery 8,000 times more efficient than prior designs, using americium in a radioluminescent crystal paired with a photovoltaic cell. These developments highlight the market’s focus on improving efficiency and expanding applications. Several factors propel the market’s growth:

• Demand for Long-Duration Power: The need for long-life power sources in space missions, medical implants, and remote IoT devices drives the adoption of nuclear batteries.
• Technological Advancements: Innovations in betavoltaic cells and nuclear microbatteries, such as diamond-based designs, enhance efficiency and scalability.
• Aerospace and Defense Applications: RTGs and betavoltaic cells support reliable power for spacecraft, drones, and military equipment in harsh environments.
• Sustainability Trends: Atomic batteries offer low environmental impact, aligning with global pushes for clean energy solutions.

Despite growth, the market faces challenges:

• High Production Costs: The use of rare isotopes like plutonium-238 or americium increases costs, limiting scalability for commercial applications.
• Regulatory and Safety Concerns: Strict regulations and public apprehension about radioactive materials hinder the widespread adoption of nuclear batteries.

Are Nuclear Batteries Safe?

Safety is a critical consideration for nuclear batteries, given their use of radioactive isotopes. RTGs and betavoltaic cells are designed with robust containment to prevent radiation leakage. For instance, RTGs encase isotopes like plutonium-238 in durable materials like titanium, ensuring safety during operation and in case of accidents, as demonstrated by NASA’s use in space missions since the 1960s. Betavoltaic cells, using low-energy beta emitters like tritium or nickel-63, emit radiation that is easily shielded by thin layers of material, posing minimal risk. In October 2024, a Chinese nuclear microbattery design incorporated a quartz cell to contain americium, preventing radiation exposure. Historical concerns, such as untracked nuclear-powered pacemakers in the 1970s, have led to stricter regulations, ensuring proper disposal and tracking. While safety challenges persist, modern encapsulation and regulatory frameworks make nuclear batteries safe for specialized applications when handled responsibly.

How Long Can a Nuclear Battery Last?

The duration of nuclear batteries is a key advantage, determined by the half-life of the radioisotope used. RTGs with plutonium-238 (half-life: 87.7 years) can operate for decades, as seen in NASA’s Voyager missions, which continue to function after 48 years, though power output declines to about 88 watts from 157 watts initially. Betavoltaic cells, using tritium (half-life: 12.3 years) or nickel-63 (half-life: 100.1 years), can last 10–100 years, depending on the isotope and application. In 2024, the University of Bristol’s carbon-14 diamond battery, with a half-life of 5,700 years, promised power for thousands of years, though material degradation limits practical lifespans. Nuclear microbatteries like those developed by City Labs for IoT devices can operate for over 20 years without maintenance. The long-life power source capability makes atomic batteries ideal for applications requiring uninterrupted power.

Nuclear Battery Market Overview

A nuclear battery transforms heat produced from radioactive material decay (mostly plutonium-238 isotopes) into electricity with appropriate thermoelectric converters. The continuous operation of nuclear batteries spans several years to decades because they do not need refueling, thus making them perfect for applications requiring an extended power supply, such as deep-space exploration, remote sensors, medical implants, and microelectronic devices. The growing need for reliable power sources is driven by government-led space missions from agencies like NASA, ESA, ISRO, and CNSA, as well as commercial ventures by SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab. Nuclear batteries are critical for providing uninterrupted power for decades in extreme environments, such as deep space and the moon's south polar region, making them vital for space vehicles, rovers, and unmanned exploration tools. Innovations in nanotechnology and materials science are enhancing the performance and compactness of nuclear batteries. These smaller, more efficient power sources are ideal for microelectronic systems, including medical implants, remote sensors, and IoT devices. Compact nuclear batteries offer extended operational life without maintenance, functioning effectively in conditions where traditional batteries are impractical. The Asia-Pacific nuclear battery market is expanding due to increased investments in space exploration by countries like China, India, and Japan. Government-backed R&D and supportive policies are fostering innovation in small, long-lasting nuclear power sources. Additionally, defense modernization and the demand for remote energy solutions are accelerating adoption in military and industrial applications. Some of the major players covered in this report include NASA, Lockheed Martin Corporation, General Atomics, ROSATOM, Northrop Grumman Corporation, City Labs, Inc., and NDB, Inc., among others.

Nuclear Battery Market Trends

1. Integration of Multi-Modal Natural Language Processing
   The nuclear battery market is advancing rapidly, driven by innovations in long-life power sources for specialized applications. Tritium batteries, leveraging tritium’s 12.3-year half-life, are gaining traction for their safety and reliability in low-power devices like IoT sensors and medical implants. City Labs’ NanoTritiumtritium battery has supported radioisotope power sources for over 20 years. Nickel-63 batteries, with a 100-year half-life, offer higher power density, as seen in Betavolt’s coin-sized BV100, delivering 100 microwatts for 50 years. Carbon-14 batteries, particularly diamond batteries, utilize carbon-14’s 5,700-year half-life for ultra-long duration, with the University of Bristol’s 2024 prototype targeting medical and space applications. Next-gen betavoltaics, incorporating advanced semiconductors like diamond, enhance efficiency, as demonstrated by Chinese researchers’ americium-based nuclear microbattery, achieving 8,000 times greater efficiency. These trends reflect a shift toward compact, sustainable radioisotope power sources for aerospace, defense, and healthcare.

Nuclear Battery Market Growth Drivers vs. Challenges

Drivers:

• Demand for Long-Duration Power in Specialized Applications: The nuclear battery market is driven by the need for long-life power sources in applications where conventional batteries are impractical, such as medical implant batteries,aerospace batteries, and IoT sensor power. Nuclear microbatteries, like tritium batteries, provide decades-long power for pacemaker batteries and underwater sensors, eliminating the need for replacements in critical devices. Similarly, City Labs’ NanoTritium tritium battery supports autonomous sensor networks for over 20 years, ideal for remote IoT sensor power applications. This demand for reliable, maintenance-free power in extreme environments, including space and medical sectors, significantly propels market growth.

Further, Innovations in next-gen betavoltaics are a key driver, enhancing the efficiency of nuclear microbatteries for diverse applications. Nickel-63 batteries and carbon-14 batteries leverage advanced semiconductors, such as diamond, to improve power output and scalability for IoT sensor power and aerospace batteries. In October 2024, Chinese researchers developed an americium-based nuclear microbattery, achieving 8,000 times greater efficiency by pairing a radioluminescent crystal with a photovoltaic cell, suitable for deep space probe power. These advancements expand the feasibility of betavoltaic cells in autonomous sensor networks and underwater sensors, where compact, reliable power is critical. The push for higher efficiency and smaller form factors drives adoption in medical, defense, and IoT sectors, positioning nuclear batteries as a transformative technology. The nuclear battery market benefits from increasing demand for aerospace batteries and deep space probe power, where radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and betavoltaic cells provide reliable energy in harsh environments. RTGs, used in NASA’s Voyager missions, power spacecraft for decades, while nuclear microbatteries support drones and military sensors. In February 2025, Nusano and Atomiq partnered to advance radioisotope power sources for aerospace batteries, focusing on scalable production for space and defense applications. The ability of atomic batteries to operate in extreme conditions without maintenance drives their use in autonomous sensor networks for defense, enhancing market growth. This trend is fueled by global investments in space exploration and defense modernization, making nuclear batteries a critical solution.

Challenges:

• High Production Costs and Limited Scalability: The nuclear battery market faces significant challenges due to high production costs, driven by the expense of radioisotopes like plutonium-238, tritium, or nickel-63 used in RTGs and betavoltaic cells. These costs limit scalability for widespread commercial applications like IoT sensor power or medical implant batteries. The complex manufacturing processes, requiring specialized facilities and stringent safety protocols, further increase expenses. For instance, AECL and CNL highlighted the high costs of developing nuclear microbatteries for commercial licensing, despite their potential for long-term power. This restraint restricts market penetration in cost-sensitive sectors, slowing adoption beyond niche applications like deep space probe power and pacemaker batteries.
• Regulatory and Public Perception Challenges: Strict regulations and public apprehension about radioactive materials pose a major restraint for the nuclear battery market. The use of isotopes in tritium batteries, nickel-63 batteries, and RTGs requires compliance with rigorous safety and disposal standards, increasing development timelines and costs. Historical concerns, such as untracked nuclear-powered pacemaker batteries in the 1970s, have led to stringent oversight, as noted in a recent IEEE Spectrum article. Public misconceptions about radiation risks, despite the safety of modern betavoltaic cells with low-energy beta emitters, hinder acceptance in consumer applications like IoT sensor power. These regulatory and perception challenges limit market growth, particularly for autonomous sensor networks and underwater sensors, requiring manufacturers to invest in education and compliance to overcome barriers.

Nuclear Battery Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type, the demand for Betavoltaic Batteries is rising considerably

• Betavoltaic batteries dominate the nuclear battery market due to their compact size, long-life power source capabilities, and versatility in low-power applications. Utilizing beta-emitting isotopes like tritium or nickel-63, these batteries convert radiation into electricity via semiconductor junctions, delivering microwatts to milliwatts for decades. They are ideal for medical devices like pacemakers and remote sensing and monitoring systems, such as IoT sensors. In October 2024, Chinese researchers unveiled a betavoltaic battery using americium in a radioluminescent crystal, achieving significantly higher efficiency for compact applications. Additionally, City Labs’ NanoTritium betavoltaic battery has supported autonomous sensor networks for over 20 years, highlighting its reliability. Their safety and scalability make betavoltaic batteries the leading type, particularly in healthcare and IoT sectors.

By Application, Space Missions are anticipated to grow significantly

• The space missions segment leads the nuclear battery market, driven by the need for reliable, long-duration power in extreme environments. Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and betavoltaic batteries power spacecraft and rovers, with NASA’s Voyager missions demonstrating RTG longevity of over 48 years. In February 2025, Nusano and Atomiq partnered to advance radioisotope power sources for space missions, focusing on scalable isotope supply for aerospace batteries. The segment benefits from nuclear batteries’ ability to operate without maintenance in deep space, supporting scientific exploration and satellite functionality, making it the largest application area.

North America is expected to lead the market expansion

• North America is the dominant region in the nuclear battery market, driven by robust investments in aerospace, defense, and medical applications. The U.S. leads with extensive use of RTGs in NASA missions and betavoltaic batteries in medical devices, remote sensing, and monitoring systems. In January 2025, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) explored the commercialization of nuclear microbatteries, targeting long-term power for remote applications. Supportive policies and R&D from institutions like Pacific Northwest National Laboratory further drive innovation, solidifying North America’s leadership in advancing atomic battery technologies.

Nuclear Battery Market Key Developments

• In May 2025, the US-based startup Zeno Power completed a $50 million funding round to accelerate the development of its nuclear batteries. The company specializes in radioisotope power systems for maritime and space applications. The funding, bringing its total investment to $70 million, will be used to advance the company's technology, which uses isotopes to create long-lasting, reliable power sources for remote and challenging environments. This significant capital injection underscores growing investor confidence in the commercial viability of nuclear batteries beyond traditional aerospace uses.
• In March 2025, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and South Korean researchers announced the development of new nuclear battery prototypes. The JAEA's prototype is a "uranium rechargeable battery" that uses depleted uranium, while the South Korean researchers developed a betavoltaic battery powered by the carbon-14 isotope. Both innovations aim to provide long-lasting, stable power sources. The Japanese development could utilize a vast resource of depleted uranium, while the South Korean battery, which is a by-product of nuclear power plants, is designed for safe, small, and affordable applications like medical implants.
• In January 2024, the Chinese startup Betavolt introduced a miniature nuclear battery that uses a nickel-63 isotope and a diamond semiconductor. The BV100 battery, which is smaller than a coin, is designed to generate a stable electrical current for up to 50 years without needing maintenance or charging. Betavolt has started pilot testing and plans for mass production, targeting applications in aerospace, AI equipment, medical devices, and micro-robots. The company claims the battery is completely safe, with no external radiation.

Nuclear Battery Market Segmentation:

• By Type
  • Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs)
  • Betavoltaic Batteries
  • Thermophotovoltaic Cells
  • Diamond Nuclear Batteries
• By Power Output
  • Low-power (µW to m)
  • Medium-Power (mW to W)
  • High-Power (W to kW)
• By Application
  • Space Missions
  • Medical Devices
  • Remote Sensing and Monitoring Systems
  • Defense and Military Equipment
  • Industrial Equipment
• By End-User
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Healthcare
  • Energy
  • Research Institutions
  • Industrial/Commercial
• By Geography
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • South America
  • Middle East & Africa

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited 

Betavolt Technology 

City Labs, Inc. 

NDB Inc. 

Nusano, Inc. 

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

University of Bristol 

Widetronix, Inc.