Novel battery membrane technology can optimize renewable energy storage

A group of researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have formulated a battery membrane technology that can help optimize the storage of renewable energy. The team devised the cost-effective battery membrane with the help of a class of polymers known as AquaPIMs, which facilitate the development of long-lasting and cost-efficient grid batteries based on readily available materials like iron, water, and zinc. The team also built a simple model demonstrating the effect of different battery membranes on the lifespan of the battery. Their study is expected to expedite research and development for flow-battery technologies, especially to find an appropriate membrane for diverse battery chemistries.