Scientists Develop Water-Based Battery That Could Last Hundreds of Years

Scientists Develop Water-Based Battery That Could Last Hundreds of Years

Scientists from City University of Hong Kong and Southern University of Science and Technology have developed a new water-based battery technology that researchers say could transform the future of clean energy storage.

According to findings published in Nature Communications, the experimental battery uses a neutral electrolyte solution made from magnesium and calcium salts — materials researchers describe as chemically similar to tofu brine and significantly safer than the flammable chemicals used in conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Researchers said the battery successfully completed more than 120,000 charge cycles without major degradation, a breakthrough that could potentially translate into centuries of operational life under normal electricity grid conditions.

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which often rely on flammable solvents and require complex hazardous waste disposal processes, the newly developed battery is reportedly non-flammable and designed using safer, earth-abundant materials.

The research team explained that the battery also uses organic polymer electrodes, making it potentially cheaper and more environmentally friendly than many current large-scale energy storage systems.

Experts say the innovation could play a major role in the future of renewable energy, particularly in supporting stable electricity storage for solar and wind power systems.

As countries around the world continue transitioning toward cleaner energy sources, one of the biggest challenges remains how to safely and efficiently store excess renewable energy for long periods.

Scientists believe safer and more sustainable battery systems could help reduce dependence on expensive and hazardous lithium-based technologies while lowering environmental risks associated with energy storage.

Although the technology is still in its research and development stage, researchers say the breakthrough represents a promising step toward cleaner, safer, and more sustainable global energy solutions.

Scientists Develop Water-Based Battery That Could Last Hundreds of Years