Centuries-Long, Non-Toxic Water Battery Aims to Transform Grid Storage

Chinese researchers report a non-toxic aqueous battery using covalent organic polymers as the anode with a neutral water-based electrolyte, achieving an estimated 120,000 charge cycles—about 300 years—before replacement. The electrolytes are safe enough to dispose of directly in the environment, addressing toxicity concerns of water-based batteries, though energy density remains lower than lithium-ion. The technology could be well suited for large-scale grid storage where safety and longevity are prioritized.