Powering the Future: Diamond Batteries and Semiconductors

Semiconductors are the technology behind modern life that you rarely see but rely on every single day. We’ll explore what semiconductors are, how they work, and why we need to go beyond silicon to reach net zero. Learn how new materials like silicon carbide and gallium nitride are making phones charge faster, EVs go farther, and renewable energy more reliable. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at how these devices are made—and hear my story of working in this fascinating field.

Diamonds have been grown artificially in labs for a while, but when such diamonds are grown with carbon-14, a naturally occurring radioactive isotope of carbon, they turn out to have intriguing properties that lead to unexpected applications. When used as power cells, these radiocarbon diamonds have the potential to power tiny electronic circuits for centuries, unlocking applications that were not even conceivable before. This talk discusses the principles of betavoltaics, how diamond betavoltaics were born, and some of their present and future applications.