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Zinc, one of Earth’s most abundant and affordable metals, is emerging as a surprising rival to lithium in the battery world. Recent breakthroughs suggest zinc-ion batteries could last far longer, charge faster, and operate more safely than their lithium counterparts.
At the Technical University of Munich, researchers created a protective layer for zinc anodes using a porous polymer called TpBD-2F. This ultra-thin coating forms nano-sized channels that guide zinc ions while repelling water, stopping the growth of dendrites—tiny metal spikes that usually destroy zinc batteries. The result is astonishing: cells that can cycle more than 100,000 times, potentially lasting decades in large-scale energy storage.
Meanwhile, a team at Georgia Tech flipped conventional wisdom on its head. Where lithium batteries degrade under fast charging, zinc-ion batteries improved. High charging currents actually prevented dendrites, forcing zinc to deposit in smooth, compact layers. Using custom imaging tools, the researchers watched this behavior in real time, proving that fast charging can make zinc batteries not only safe but longer-lived.
Together, these advances position zinc-ion technology as a strong contender for powering solar and wind storage, backup systems for homes and hospitals, and grid stabilization projects. Unlike lithium, zinc is cheap, widely mined, nonflammable, and easy to recycle—qualities that make it a strong candidate for the green energy transition.
With further refinement of cathode materials and scaling to industrial production, zinc-ion batteries could soon stand at the center of a cleaner, more resilient power grid.
Source: s41467-025-62824-5
At the Technical University of Munich, researchers created a protective layer for zinc anodes using a porous polymer called TpBD-2F. This ultra-thin coating forms nano-sized channels that guide zinc ions while repelling water, stopping the growth of dendrites—tiny metal spikes that usually destroy zinc batteries. The result is astonishing: cells that can cycle more than 100,000 times, potentially lasting decades in large-scale energy storage.
Meanwhile, a team at Georgia Tech flipped conventional wisdom on its head. Where lithium batteries degrade under fast charging, zinc-ion batteries improved. High charging currents actually prevented dendrites, forcing zinc to deposit in smooth, compact layers. Using custom imaging tools, the researchers watched this behavior in real time, proving that fast charging can make zinc batteries not only safe but longer-lived.
Together, these advances position zinc-ion technology as a strong contender for powering solar and wind storage, backup systems for homes and hospitals, and grid stabilization projects. Unlike lithium, zinc is cheap, widely mined, nonflammable, and easy to recycle—qualities that make it a strong candidate for the green energy transition.
With further refinement of cathode materials and scaling to industrial production, zinc-ion batteries could soon stand at the center of a cleaner, more resilient power grid.
Source: s41467-025-62824-5
Zinc, one of Earth’s most abundant and affordable metals, is emerging as a surprising rival to lithium in the battery world. Recent breakthroughs suggest zinc-ion batteries could last far longer, charge faster, and operate more safely than their lithium counterparts.
At the Technical University of Munich, researchers created a protective layer for zinc anodes using a porous polymer called TpBD-2F. This ultra-thin coating forms nano-sized channels that guide zinc ions while repelling water, stopping the growth of dendrites—tiny metal spikes that usually destroy zinc batteries. The result is astonishing: cells that can cycle more than 100,000 times, potentially lasting decades in large-scale energy storage.
Meanwhile, a team at Georgia Tech flipped conventional wisdom on its head. Where lithium batteries degrade under fast charging, zinc-ion batteries improved. High charging currents actually prevented dendrites, forcing zinc to deposit in smooth, compact layers. Using custom imaging tools, the researchers watched this behavior in real time, proving that fast charging can make zinc batteries not only safe but longer-lived.
Together, these advances position zinc-ion technology as a strong contender for powering solar and wind storage, backup systems for homes and hospitals, and grid stabilization projects. Unlike lithium, zinc is cheap, widely mined, nonflammable, and easy to recycle—qualities that make it a strong candidate for the green energy transition.
With further refinement of cathode materials and scaling to industrial production, zinc-ion batteries could soon stand at the center of a cleaner, more resilient power grid.
Source: s41467-025-62824-5
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