Researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have had a breakthrough in the development of aqueous rechargeable zinc battery (AZB) technology.
This innovation has the potential to revolutionise energy storage for homes and grids, emphasising safety, cost-effectiveness, extended life cycle, and robust power capability.
The team, consisting of researchers Yuan Shang, Dr. Priyank Kumar, and Dr. Dipan Kundu from the School of Chemical Engineering at UNSW, has introduced a scalable solution to overcome the limited rechargeability of AZB technology.
The technology is seen as a potentially safer and more affordable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, which have faced safety concerns and incidents of fires.
The breakthrough, published in the Advanced Materials journal, addresses a major limitation of AZB technology related to the corrosion of the battery’s zinc metal electrode, hindering its rechargeability.
The researchers introduced a small concentration (1 volume per cent) of non-toxic additive molecules in the battery electrolyte to mitigate corrosion and reduce dendritic zinc deposits that can lead to short circuits in the battery cell.
This solution preserves the aqueous nature of the electrolyte, maintaining cost and safety benefits. The result is a significant improvement in the battery cycle life, increasing it from a few months to over three years under conditions suitable for beyond-lab-scale development.
The UNSW team aims to further develop the AZB technology, with potential applications ranging from small-scale residential and commercial energy storage to larger-scale community storage and grid-level installations.
The technology could find use in various sectors, including remote/off-grid power systems, data centers, backup power systems in industries, e-bikes, and more.
Dr. Dipan Kundu highlighted the potential of AZB technology to accelerate renewable energy integration, support smart grid technologies, and provide cost-effective and reliable storage options for industries.
The team has applied for a patent on the new technology and is actively seeking funding for the development of a commercial spin-off.
The estimated cost for consumers is one-third to one-fourth the price of present-day lithium-ion systems once the technology is fully developed.
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