New Delhi, Sept 15 (UNI) In a significant advancement in energy storage technology, Indian researchers have developed a flexible and eco-friendly battery that offers a safer and more sustainable alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Developed by scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the novel battery is based on aluminium—an abundant, inexpensive, and environmentally benign metal—and a water-based electrolyte, making it both non-toxic and non-flammable.
CeNS is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which are susceptible to overheating and pose explosion risks, the new battery is safe to handle, bendable, and highly durable.
The researchers demonstrated that the battery could function even when folded, powering an LCD display while bent at sharp angles—an attribute that opens avenues for applications in wearable electronics and foldable devices, said a DST statement here.
The innovation, which has been published in the Journal of Energy Storage (Elsevier), addresses long-standing challenges in aluminium-ion battery development. While aluminium has high theoretical capacity and efficiency in storing energy, its complex electrochemistry had previously limited practical usage.
To overcome this, the research team led by scientist Dr Kavita Pandey designed a novel cathode using copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCFe) pre-loaded with aluminium ions, and paired it with an anode made from molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃). This pairing enabled the creation of a stable and flexible battery system capable of high energy performance, said the statement.
The battery retained 96.77% of its capacity after 150 charge-discharge cycles, indicating high efficiency and long-term viability.
Scientists utilised advanced characterisation tools such as electron microscopy and spectroscopic analysis to fine-tune the battery components at the microscopic level, ensuring optimal performance and structural stability.
“By leveraging abundant materials like aluminium and water-based electrolytes, we are offering a greener, safer, and potentially more cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries,” the statement added.
Potential applications for the technology include flexible smartphones, wearable devices integrated into textiles, and safer energy storage systems for electric vehicles. Moreover, by avoiding scarce and environmentally challenging resources such as lithium and cobalt, the technology aligns with India’s broader sustainability and circular economy goals, it said.
