Florida State University zinc-ion battery survived 900 charging cycles with no noticeable drop in performance

It survived 900 charging cycles with no noticeable drop in performance

Researchers at Florida State University have created a new rechargeable zinc-ion battery that could become a safer, lower-cost alternative to familiar lithium-ion batteries. The key feature of the work is the use of inexpensive materials and a design that is resistant to overheating and ignition.

A long-standing issue with zinc-ion batteries has been dendrites - microscopic metallic “needles” that grow inside the cell during charging and can pierce internal layers, leading to a short circuit and battery failure. To address this, the scientists used a self-assembling design: a manganese dioxide electrode forms directly inside the cell, while an aqueous hydrogel reinforced with Kevlar fibres serves as the protective medium.

According to the study’s authors, this structure holds the electrolyte in place while also suppressing dendrite growth, making the battery noticeably safer and easier to manufacture. In laboratory tests, the prototype endured 900 rapid charge–discharge cycles with almost no loss of performance.

The researchers stress that the technology is not yet intended for smartphones: zinc batteries are heavier than lithium ones. However, for grid energy storage, home back-up systems and even medical wearable devices, this option appears very promising. In these areas, the priority is not minimal weight, but stability, long service life and fire safety.

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