Engineers Develop Water-Based Battery With Long Life, Fast Charging, Low Cost

Recent advancements in battery technology are poised to significantly impact energy storage, electric vehicles, and clean energy adoption. Researchers from Monash University developed a novel, water-based organic flow battery that is safer, cheaper, and capable of fast charging and long life, making it ideal for homeowners storing solar energy. Meanwhile, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are transforming large-scale energy storage projects by reducing costs and extending lifespan, contributing to more resilient, low-carbon power grids. In the U.S., despite unprecedented investment in EV battery manufacturing driven by the Inflation Reduction Act, a potential oversupply threatens plants amid slowing EV sales and Republican plans to cut tax incentives. On the innovation front, Boston-based startup Pure Lithium is pioneering a lithium metal battery produced entirely without Chinese materials, aiming to reduce U.S. dependency on critical minerals dominated by China. Additionally, 24M Technologies has developed a liquid electrolyte that dramatically improves ion flow in EV batteries, enabling ultra-fast charging and maintaining capacity even in extreme cold, promising better performance without the need for expensive megawatt chargers.