Posted on 08/21/2025 7:26:28 AM PDT by Red Badger
Zinc-ion batteries are abundant, low cost, nonflammable, and environmentally safer than lithium-ion.
Scientists in the US discovered that zinc-ion batteries could potentially replace lithium-ion ones as fast charging makes them stronger instead of wearing them down.
Led by Hailong Chen, PhD, an associate professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech, the research overturned the long-standing assumption that fast charging is risky.
Instead, the findings revealed that charging zinc-ion batteries at higher currents can extend their lifespan and potentially revolutionize how energy is delivered to homes, hospitals, and the grid.
“We found that using faster charging actually suppressed dendrite formation instead of accelerating it,” Chen stated. “It’s a very different behavior than what we see in lithium-ion batteries.”
Charging into the future
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries dominate the rechargeable battery market. They power everything from smartphones to electric cars. Still, their downsides are increasingly difficult to ignore as they rely on scarce materials, carry a risk of fire and are expensive to produce.
Zinc, on the other hand, is one of the most abundant metals on the planet. It is widely mined and much cheaper than lithium. Moreover, zinc-ion batteries are nonflammable, environmentally safer, and easier to recycle.
However, their biggest drawback is the growth of dendrites, which are small needle-like zinc deposits that form during charging and can pierce the battery’s internal structure and lead to short circuits. Over time, this not only reduces performance but also poses safety risks.
However, Chen’s research team experimented with fast charging and found that this method prevents zinc from forming dendrites.
Instead, the zinc settled into smooth, tightly packed layers, more like neatly stacked books than splintered shards. This structure not only prevents short circuits but also helps the battery last longer.
“It goes against the conventional thinking that fast charging shortens battery life.” Chen stated. “What we found expands people’s understanding of fast charging that could rewrite how we think about battery design and where they can be used.”
Powering a cleaner future
The team obtained the results after they built a novel tool that allowed them to watch how zinc behaved under different charging rates in real time. So, instead of testing one variable at a time, they group created a system that enabled them to observe hundreds of conditions simultaneously.
“We weren’t just seeing whether the battery worked or not; we were watching the structure of the material evolve as it charged,” Chen explained.
He noted that the tool helped them uncover why fast charging prevents zinc from settling into dendrites for the first time.
Still, even though the result solves a major issue, it only addresses one side of the battery – the anode. The team is now focused on improving the cathode to ensure the entire battery performs reliably over time.
They are also experimenting with zinc blends, combining it with other materials to enhance the durability of zinc-ion batteries. They believe this surprising discovery could reshape the future of battery technology.
“You can imagine these zinc-ion batteries being used to store solar energy in homes, or for grid stabilization,” Chen concluded in a press release. Anywhere you need reliable, affordable backup power.”
I still have yet heard an answer as to the best way to increase longevity in a cell phone battery. Keep it full or draw it down. It appears all hope is lost.
That is unknown to physical science.................
“I still have yet heard an answer as to the best way to increase longevity in a cell phone battery. Keep it full or draw it down. It appears all hope is lost.”
Common facts:
Keep it between 20% and 85%.
Minimize charging cycles.
About the only things you can do is don’t fast charge & don’t discharge below 20%. I think a lot of people will keep their phone plugged into a charger when it’s not necessary, which probably doesn’t help either.
“About the only things you can do is don’t fast charge & don’t discharge below 20%. “
Li-ion battery longevity is very dependent on number of charging cycles.
There are a lot of settings you can use to reduce battery use and thus minimize cycles.
But you can’t start a campfire with zinc-ion.
They lasted a LONG time.
No bothersome checking and watering.
Can they be substituted for lithium in phones and laptops and such? Would rather have shorter lived, safer battery than one that can barbecue a whole house or garage in the blink of an eye
Well that ain't no good.
You don't need a study to figger out that a product that doesn't wear out will ever make it into the market place.
I have kept my cell phone between 20 and 80% since I got it. My battery is much worse than my wife’s, who keeps it closer to 50% all the time.
You saw that demo too? Interesting MacGuyver move!
Thanks & thanks to all for the tips
There’s a setting that lets you limit charging to 80% capacity (max), and it prolongs battery life. I use it on devices that have it.
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