a system and method for a self - charging battery cell are provided in which beta emissions from a strontium - 90 source are obtained by a sensor device and converted into electric energy . in embodiments , a scintillation device is used to intake emissions from a strontium - 90 source , and consequently emit a light or plurality of light flashes . a sensor device , e . g ., a photodiode , is utilized to convert the light or plurality of light flashes into electric voltage , current and / or energy .