Scientists in China have developed a new type of water-based battery that could remain operational for centuries while avoiding many of the environmental and safety problems associated with conventional lithium-ion systems. According to a report from Live Science, the experimental aqueous battery survived 120,000 charge cycles in laboratory testing, a lifespan that researchers say could translate into nearly 300 years of operation under typical grid-storage conditions.
The battery relies on water-based electrolytes rather than the flammable and chemically reactive materials commonly used in lithium-ion batteries. Researchers designed the system using synthesized covalent organic polymers as the anode material. These carbon- and nitrogen-based molecular structures contain stable openings that allow magnesium and calcium ions to move efficiently through the battery without rapidly degrading in water.
A key breakthrough came from identifying a compound called hexaketone-tetraaminodibenzo-p-dioxin, which maintains a rigid honeycomb-like structure while attracting positively charged ions. The team paired this with a Prussian blue analog cathode, creating a highly stable electrochemical system capable of repeated charging without major performance loss.
Unlike many aqueous batteries, which often suffer from corrosion and gas buildup caused by highly acidic or alkaline electrolytes, the new design operates under neutral pH conditions. The researchers noted that the electrolyte ingredients are so environmentally benign that they resemble substances used in tofu brine. Because the chemistry avoids toxic metals and corrosive materials, the battery could potentially be disposed of directly into the environment without creating hazardous waste concerns.
The technology could prove particularly valuable for grid-scale energy storage, where long operating life and safety are often more important than compact size. Although the battery’s energy density still trails lithium-ion systems, its durability and low environmental impact may make it attractive for renewable energy infrastructure and stationary storage applications.
Researchers say further work is needed to scale manufacturing and improve energy capacity, but the results point toward a future where batteries may become far safer, longer-lasting, and easier to recycle than current designs.