• China’s water battery breakthrough can last 120,000+ cycles, outlast lithium-ion by decades Chinese scientists unveil a non-toxic, water-based battery that delivers over 120,000 cycles without the fire risks of lithium-ion systems. • Researchers from the City University of Hong Kong and Southern University of Science and Technology have developed a new water-based, eco-friendly battery based on tofu brine. • “Compared with current aqueous battery systems … our system delivers exceptional long-term cycling stability and environmental friendliness under neutral conditions,” the team said in its paper. • The new battery uses what the team calls “organic” electrodes with neutral, non-toxic electrolytes. • According to the team, the new tofu-brine-based battery is capable of 120,000+ charge cycles, and is basically saltwater-level safe. • “Such performance highlights the research potential of this work and underscores its promise for practical application,” the team added.
Article Summaries:
- Chinese researchers have developed a non‑toxic, water‑based battery using tofu brine that can endure over 120,000 charge‑discharge cycles-far exceeding the typical 1,000‑3,000 cycles of lithium‑ion cells. The aqueous system employs neutral, “organic” electrodes and electrolytes, eliminating fire risks and toxic waste associated with lithium‑ion technology. While the energy density is lower than conventional batteries, the longevity and safety profile make it attractive for grid‑storage and renewable‑energy buffering. The key challenge remains scaling the technology to commercial production and ensuring reliable performance outside laboratory conditions.
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