Scaled Additive Manufacture of High Power Betavoltaics

As space, defence and remote sensing missions grow longer and more complex, access to reliable, maintenance-free power has become a critical constraint. Conventional energy sources struggle to operate continuously in extreme, inaccessible or contested environments—whether in orbit, on the lunar surface, underwater or across remote surveillance networks.

entX and Adelaide University have jointly developed the GenX Betavoltaic Power Generator which converts radioactive beta decay directly into electricity using semiconductor materials. They established several laboratory scale prototypes that integrate additive manufacturing and advanced surface technologies to produce ultra-thin betavoltaic films that deliver unmatched power density.

This project will translate these results into a production-relevant environment by establishing an integrated, scalable additive manufacturing process at entX’s certified radiation facility in Adelaide. The aim is to deliver a world-first, high-power betavoltaic demonstrator that overcomes the current lack of effective long-duration power solutions and unlocks new applications across space, defence and remote systems.

The outcome of the project will position entX to supply high-power betavoltaics to global markets, while showcasing s digital manufacturing and quality control capabilities that lay the foundation for a highly automated Industry 5.0 manufacturing solution.