A new chemistry startup wants to turn nuclear waste into "forever batteries" for microchips. (C&EN)
Project Omega emerged from stealth with $12M in seed funding and a working prototype of a betavoltaic battery—a device that generates power directly from the radioactive decay of strontium-90, an isotope harvested from nuclear waste.
The business logic: Sell the batteries first to generate cash flow, then scale up nuclear fuel recycling—a higher-volume but lower-margin market.Â
Yes, but: While the batteries offer a unique solution for low-power, long-life needs, experts warn the economics of nuclear recycling remain "difficult" compared to mining virgin ore, and the logistics of transporting high-level waste face a tangle of regulatory hurdles.