Researchers at the AA Bochvar Research Institute of Inorganic Materials (VNIINM), Alexander Anikin and Pavel Moseev, have developed betavoltaic energy sources for autonomous aircraft systems and spacecraft. According to Evgeniy Stepin from the Centre for Space Research & Technology at the National Research Nuclear University (NRNU) MEPhI (Moscow Institute of Engineering Physics) the creation of compact but efficient power supplies for aircraft and space systems is a key priority for Russia.
The operating principle of these “nuclear batteries” is based on the conversion of beta radiation (electron flux) from a radioactive substance in a semiconductor material. Tritium (in the US) or Nickel-63 (in Russia) are the most common isotopes used because they emit low-energy beta particles. This radiation is easily shielded and does not damage the semiconductor lattice as quickly as higher-energy radiation would.
Betavoltaics are non-thermal. The semiconductor (often silicon or silicon carbide) acts similarly to a solar cell. Instead of photons from the sun hitting the material to create electron-hole pairs, the beta electrons do the work. The longevity is determined by the half-life of the isotope. A tritium-based battery can provide constant, low-level power for over 20 years. However, their power density is currently very low (microwatts to milliwatts).
Russia has positioned itself as a global leader in “nuclear battery” (betavoltaic) research, focusing on significantly reducing costs and increasing power density through domestic isotope production and novel structural designs. Research is led by a consortium including the National University of Science and Technology (NUST MISIS) in Moscow, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), and subsidiaries of Rosatom.
Scientists at NUST MISIS developed a patented 3D structure for silicon-based converters. By placing isotopes inside microchannels rather than on a flat surface, they increased the radiation conversion area by 14 times, resulting in a 10-fold increase in specific power while reducing the device size by two-thirds.
Unlike many Western startups using tritium, Russian efforts primarily focus on nickel-63, which has a half-life of 100 years, enabling batteries to function for 50 to 100 years. While prototypes have existed since 2016, recent developments aim at industrial scaling: Experts from MEPhI indicated in late 2023 that these batteries could enter mass production within 5-6 years (2028–2029).
The primary hurdle remains the extreme cost of isotopes. As of early 2026, one gram of radioactive Nickel-63 costs approximately $4,000. Russian researchers are currently seeking industrial partners, specifically within Rosatom’s specialised nuclear centres (such as Sarov or Mayak), to lower costs through scaled isotope enrichment.
Researchers at the NRNU MEPhI have recently shifted focus toward an “original alternative approach” to nuclear battery design that moves away from traditional layered structures to increase efficiency and scalability. MEPhI’s most significant recent development is a prototype that utilises energy conversion throughout the entire volume of the material rather than just at the surface interface.
Conventional “planar” batteries (like those from MIPT or Chinese firms) lose significant energy because many beta particles are absorbed within the source itself before reaching the converter. The MEPhI design uses an ensemble of densely packed nickel nanoclusters with a specific size distribution deposited on a dielectric (silicon oxide) surface. This generates a cascade of secondary electrons directly inside the nanostructured films, significantly increasing the current signal. MEPhI scientists say this approach is universal and could scale to power levels in the sub-kW range, far beyond the microwatts of current coin-sized cells.
VNIINM is the primary scientific centre for developing the “source” components of Russian nuclear batteries. While MEPhI focuses on the physics of energy conversion, VNIINM specialises in materials science, specifically the production and stabilisation of the radioactive isotopes required for power and has been instrumental in the industrialisation of Nickel-63 (Ni-63) sources.
They developed a specialised technology for creating ultra-thin radioactive foils. These foils must be thin enough to prevent “self-absorption” (where the beta particles are trapped inside the nickel itself) but dense enough to provide a steady flux of electrons to the semiconductor. By perfecting the chemical purity of these Ni-63 sources, Bochvar has enabled battery designs with an operational life of 50 to 100 years without power degradation.
In the specific “nuclear battery” hierarchy, VNIINM (Bochvar) acts as the lead designer for the radioactive source, while the Mining & Chemical Combine (MCC) handles the enrichment, and NUST MISIS or MEPhI handles the semiconductor conversion.
VNIINM and its partners within Rosatom utilise a tiered safety strategy that treats the “nuclear battery” as a sealed radioactive source, ensuring that the radioactive material remains contained even under extreme mechanical or environmental stress. To meet international and Russian (Rostekhnadzor) regulations, prototypes undergo rigorous “abuse testing” to simulate accidents.
The choice of Nickel-63 provides an inherent safety advantage. It emits low-energy beta particles that cannot penetrate a sheet of paper or human skin. Unlike some isotopes, Ni-63 produces no significant gamma radiation, meaning the battery casing itself provides 100% of the required shielding for the user.
Nickel-63 has a much longer half-life (100 years) than tritium (12.3 years). It is a metal, making it physically more stable than tritium. Bochvar electroplates it onto foils, creating a source that cannot be inhaled or easily dispersed if the casing breaks. Given Russia’s focus on Arctic and space applications, their batteries are tested to higher mechanical extremes that tritium-based US equivalents. Tests include specialised immersion and high-pressure tests to ensure they remain leak-proof in deep-sea or permafrost environments.
