Scientists have developed a breakthrough battery technology that is not only flexible enough to fold like paper but also safe to handle without risk. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which carry the danger of overheating and explosion, this innovation promises a safer future.
The research was carried out in Bengaluru by the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration with the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Their work introduces a next-generation alternative to lithium-ion batteries, which currently power most phones, laptops, electric vehicles, and wearable devices.
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This new battery relies on aluminium, one of the Earth’s most abundant elements paired with a water-based electrolyte. The result is a solution that is safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendlier. By eliminating the risks of explosion and reducing the ecological footprint, this technology could reshape the way energy powers our devices while lowering overall energy demands.
Aluminium – the promising material
While aluminium shows immense promise as an efficient energy-storing material, its complex chemistry has long made practical applications difficult. Researchers in Bengaluru have overcome this challenge by engineering materials at the microscopic level. They created a unique cathode (positive electrode) using copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCFe), pre-loaded with aluminium ions, and paired it with a molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) anode (negative electrode). The result is a high-performance battery that combines efficiency with remarkable flexibility.
This innovative design ensures reliable energy storage, retaining 96.77 per cent of its capacity even after 150 charge discharge cycles significantly reducing wear over daily use. The battery remains fully functional when bent or even folded in half. In a striking demonstration, scientists successfully powered an LCD display while the battery was twisted at extreme angles.
Such flexibility opens the door to next-generation electronics, including rollable gadgets and wearable devices seamlessly embedded into clothing.
To fine-tune the battery’s design, the scientists employed advanced microscopic tools such as electron microscopes and spectroscopic techniques, ensuring each component was precisely optimised for high performance. They conducted rigorous tests to validate the battery’s efficiency, durability, and flexibility, proving its readiness for real-world applications.
Applications of this innovation
The innovation carries exciting possibilities for everyday use, from foldable smartphones and safer electric vehicles to wearable devices seamlessly woven into clothing. By relying on aluminium an abundant, low-cost, and environmentally friendly material the technology also aligns with global sustainability objectives. This breakthrough marks a major leap in multivalent ion battery research. With continued refinements, such batteries could soon become mainstream, positioning India as a leader in safe, sustainable, and next-generation energy storage solutions.
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