Video: India’s lithium-ion alternative: IISc unveils foldable aluminium battery
Researchers at IISc and affiliated centres have developed a flexible, water-based aluminium battery that offers a safer and more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technology. The battery is capable of retaining over 96% capacity after 150 cycles and functioning under extreme bends.
Hyderabad: Scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have developed a novel aluminium-based battery that is flexible, safe and environmentally friendly.
The new technology is being seen as a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in mobile phones, laptops, electric vehicles and wearable devices but are prone to overheating and explosions.
The battery uses aluminium, one of the most abundant metals, along with a water-based solution, making it cheaper and more sustainable. Researchers overcame challenges of aluminium’s complex chemistry by designing a cathode from copper hexacyanoferrate and pairing it with a molybdenum trioxide anode.
Tests showed the battery retained 96.77 per cent of its capacity even after 150 charge-discharge cycles. It continued to function when bent or folded, powering an LCD display at extreme angles, raising possibilities for applications in rollable gadgets, wearable devices, and flexible electronics.
According to the scientists, the use of aluminium not only enhances safety but also supports sustainability goals by reducing environmental hazards associated with conventional batteries.
The innovation marks a significant step in the development of next-generation energy storage systems with real-world applications ranging from safer electric vehicles to smart textiles.
