A more cost-effective rechargeable zinc-ion battery has been developed by chemists at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Since their manufacture does not require special conditions, low humidity or the use of flammable materials, this could produce batteries that are half the price of lithium-ion equivalents. The researchers have demonstrated a new type of zinc oxide battery, which is based on an organic compound called ZnO.
A more cost-effective rechargeable zinc-ion battery has been developed by chemists at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Since their manufacture does not require special conditions, low humidity or the use of flammable materials, this could produce batteries that are half the price of lithium-ion equivalents. The new battery uses non-toxic, non-flammable materials and a pH-neutral, water-based salt and could be of interest to manufacturers as the global market for energy storage is expected to grow to $25bn in the next 10 years.