China has recently developed a tiny nuclear battery,

It is true that China has recently developed a tiny nuclear battery, but the claims made in the text are exaggerated and present a misleading picture of its capabilities and applications. While the technology is a significant step forward, it's not a magical, all-encompassing solution.
What's a Nuclear Battery?
A nuclear battery, or betavoltaic battery, is a type of atomic battery that converts energy from radioactive decay into electricity. Unlike large-scale nuclear reactors, these batteries are incredibly small and do not use a chain reaction. Instead, they rely on a process called beta decay.
In beta decay, a radioactive isotope, like Nickel-63 or Carbon-14, emits a high-energy electron (a beta particle) as it transforms into a more stable element. This released electron is captured by a semiconductor, creating a small but continuous electric current. Think of it as a tiny, self-powered solar panel, but instead of sunlight, it's fueled by the steady decay of radioactive atoms.
Separating Fact from Fiction
The "50-Year" Lifespan is Misleading
The 50-year lifespan is not the battery's operating life; it's based on the half-life of the radioactive isotope used. Nickel-63, for example, has a half-life of about 100 years. This means that after 100 years, the battery's power output will be half of what it was initially. While this is an incredibly long time for a power source, the battery's energy output will continually decrease, not stay constant. It will not power your devices at full strength for 50 years.
Not a "Powerhouse"
The most important detail left out of the claim is the battery's power output. The Betavolt prototype produces only about 100 microwatts (µW) of power. To put that into perspective, the average smartphone battery outputs around 2-3 watts (W) to charge, which is tens of thousands of times more powerful. These tiny nuclear batteries are excellent for low-power devices, such as medical implants (like pacemakers), remote sensors, or certain defense systems, where a low but consistent power source is needed for decades. They cannot power a smartphone, a car, or an entire data center. The claim of "powering the future" in a widespread way is a vast overstatement.
Safety and Regulation
While the text claims the batteries are "safer" than nuclear reactors, they are not without risk. They contain radioactive material that, if compromised, could pose a health hazard. This means strict safety regulations and disposal procedures are essential. These batteries are designed with layers of protection to prevent the release of radioactive material, but this adds to their complexity and cost. They are not a simple, everyday technology.
Conclusion
The new nuclear battery technology is a remarkable scientific achievement. It's a significant step toward creating a long-lasting power source for specialized, low-power applications. However, the viral post's claims are a classic case of exaggeration and sensationalism. The battery's decades-long lifespan refers to the decay rate, not a constant power output, and its energy production is far too low to power consumer electronics or large-scale systems. The technology's future is in niche, highly-specialized fields, not in replacing the batteries in our everyday devices.