By Segun Adeyanju
Researchers from the City University of Hong Kong and the Southern University of Science and Technology have developed a new eco friendly, water based battery capable of delivering more than 120,000 charge cycles, a breakthrough that could significantly outlast traditional lithium ion systems.
The research, published in Nature Communications, describes a neutral, non toxic aqueous battery system built using organic electrodes and an electrolyte derived from tofu brine. According to the scientists, the design offers exceptional long term cycling stability while eliminating the fire risks commonly associated with lithium ion technology.
“Compared with current aqueous battery systems, our system delivers exceptional long term cycling stability and environmental friendliness under neutral conditions,” the research team stated in the paper.
Unlike lithium ion batteries, which are flammable and prone to thermal runaway if damaged, the new water based system operates under neutral conditions and is described as being as safe as saltwater. Lithium ion batteries typically last between 1,000 and 3,000 cycles before noticeable degradation, while even advanced lithium iron phosphate grid batteries often range between 6,000 and 10,000 cycles.
By contrast, the tofu brine battery’s 120,000 plus cycle lifespan represents a dramatic leap in durability. For comparison, most smartphone batteries begin to degrade after roughly 800 cycles, and electric vehicle batteries generally last between 1,500 and 3,000 cycles.
Water based batteries are inherently non flammable and contain fewer toxic materials, making them easier and safer to dispose of. However, they have historically faced performance limitations because water can break down at certain voltages, restricting energy output. The researchers claim their new design overcomes much of this limitation while maintaining stability over extended use.
If successfully scaled for commercial production, the battery could prove especially valuable for grid scale energy storage such as solar farms and wind power balancing systems. Its long lifespan could translate to over a decade of service, reducing replacement costs and improving reliability in renewable energy infrastructure.
Experts caution, however, that many laboratory breakthroughs do not always translate into viable commercial products. Questions remain about scalability, industrial production costs, and whether the battery can maintain performance outside controlled laboratory conditions.
Should those challenges be addressed, the tofu brine battery could find applications in renewable energy storage, rural electrification projects, data center backup systems, and even military installations.
The development adds to growing global efforts to create safer and more sustainable alternatives to lithium ion technology as demand for energy storage continues to rise.
