Christ College research team wins U.S. patent for promotion of zinc-based batteries - The Hindu

Christ College research team wins U.S. patent for promotion of zinc-based batteries

They have come up with technology to improve the performance of zinc-based batteries by solving the dendrite issue

October 16, 2023, 07:36 pm | Updated 09:01 pm IST - KOCHI

A team of researchers at the autonomous Christ College at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur has developed a method to overcome a key hurdle in tapping the commercial benefits of zinc-based batteries.

They have come up with technology to improve the performance of zinc-based batteries by solving the dendrite issue (non-uniform metal deposits formed during charging). The team led by Joy V.T., associate professor and head of the Department of Chemistry, has won a U.S. patent for the invention. The team members included researchers Daiphi Davis and Leya Mar

“Even though zinc-based batteries are cheap, environmentally friendly, and inherently safe, the main problem with them is that during charging of the battery, zinc is not plated uniformly but forms a loose, bump-like structure called dendrite. Dendrite issue was the key problem, that prevented commercialization of zinc-based batteries,” said Dr. Joy.

The research was part of the global efforts to actively explore alternative materials to lithium-ion batteries. “Lithium, an alkali metal, is highly combustible. The organic electrolyte solvents in lithium-ion batteries are also combustible. Both these issues posed significant safety concerns for lithium-ion batteries, if not handled with care,” according to the researchers.
They pointed out that zinc, which is an abundant metal in the earth’s crust, is also eco-friendly. Zinc batteries have water as an electrolyte, making them significantly safer. Zinc-air batteries canstore more energy in a smaller space, have a longer lifespan, and are less expensive compared to lithium-ion batteries, they said.
A main problem faced by the researchers was the formation of dendrite in zinc-based batteries. It created a bulge in the battery while charging. The researchers have now solved the hurdle that will free zinc-based batteries of dendrite deposits. The technology was developed in collaboration with a U.S.-based company.

This is huge guys