Experts from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have made a significant breakthrough by developing a battery capable of operating efficiently in sub-zero temperatures. This innovation holds immense potential for both the armed forces stationed in high-altitude regions and civilian populations residing in similar areas.
The device combines a durable cathode catalyst with an anti-freezing electrolyte designed for zinc-air batteries. This unique combination enables energy solutions in remote locations where extreme cold conditions often hinder the performance of conventional batteries.
Researchers at CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute achieved this feat by synthesizing a cathode material using a cobalt and iron-based alloy combined with nanoparticles. This hybrid structure significantly enhanced durability and proved highly effective in both liquid and solid-state zinc-air batteries, even in sub-zero temperatures.
The researchers emphasized the portability, flexibility, and lightweight nature of the device, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including military personnel, defense personnel, and everyday consumers operating in challenging environments.
This technology's ability to provide energy independence in harsh climates and remote areas signifies a significant step towards sustainable and universally accessible energy solutions.
In the face of increasing power demands, efficient energy storage systems are crucial for harnessing clean and renewable energy sources. The Ministry of Science and Technology highlighted ongoing research efforts to develop devices with higher energy density and reduced weight.
Metal-air batteries, with their lighter metal components like sodium, potassium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, and iron, are emerging as promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, which face limitations due to heavy cathode materials.
Electro-catalytic techniques, including overall water splitting, fuel cells, and metal-air batteries, offer low-carbon-footprint alternatives to meet the global demand for sustainable energy solutions. However, challenges such as low energy generation rates and complex multi-phase interfaces persist.
To address these challenges, the development of high-efficiency heterogeneous catalysts is essential. Such catalysts promise reduced material usage, simplified designs, enhanced energy utilization, and improved device integration, according to the ministry.
