Nuclear batteries: Current context and near‐term expectations

The batteries fuelled by radio-isotopes have represented a significant technological solution for planetary science and exploration missions since the beginning of the space era. Now emerging researches and new concepts are making the nuclear batteries attractive also for relevant terrestrial applications. The present survey aims to summarize the evolution of technical programmes and to examine the multidisciplinary skills required to accelerate the transition of nuclear batteries from laboratory prototypes to fully functional systems.