A team of scientists in Mexico has developed a tough new battery that could one day replace the lithium-ion batteries currently used in phones and electric cars. Unlike lithium batteries, which can catch fire or explode when damaged, this innovative zinc-air battery continues to work even after being punctured, burned, or submerged in water.
The research was led by Noé Arjona and his colleagues at the Center for Advanced Materials Research (CIMAV) in Chihuahua, Mexico. Their findings, published in *ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces*, suggest that safer, more affordable, and eco-friendly batteries might soon become a reality.
### The Problem with Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles today, but they come with a significant drawback: their liquid electrolytes are flammable. If the battery is crushed, punctured, or overheats, it can catch fire or explode.
“We are not using lithium-ion batteries because of the many safety concerns regarding the flammability of the electrolytes that are used in that kind of technology,” explains Arjona.
### A Safer Alternative: Zinc-Air Battery
Instead of relying on lithium, Arjona’s team developed a metal-air battery—a system that generates power by combining metal with oxygen from the air. This design eliminates the need for dangerous liquid electrolytes.
The researchers selected zinc as the primary material because it is safer and more abundant than lithium or cobalt. To further minimize metal usage, they engineered a carbon sheet embedded with single atoms of nickel, rather than using large chunks of metal.
### Atomic-Level Design and Testing
To verify their design at the atomic level, the team utilized the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan, which offers some of the brightest light sources worldwide for material study. Their tests confirmed that nickel atoms were evenly distributed across the carbon surface.
When combined with a gel-like polymer electrolyte, this structure enabled the zinc-air battery to operate efficiently—without the safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
### Extreme Durability and Performance
The team tested their battery under extreme conditions: hammering a nail through it, setting it on fire, and even dunking it in water. In every scenario, the battery continued functioning.
Additionally, it performed well in both very cold and hot environments, making it suitable for countries with harsh climates.
“In Canada, you have a huge problem with recharging batteries in very cold temperatures, such as with electric vehicles,” Arjona notes. “Our kind of technology doesn’t have the same issues.”
### Looking Toward a Sustainable Future
Beyond safety and performance, the researchers are also focused on sustainability. They aim to develop future versions of the battery with biodegradable materials that could even enrich soil after disposal.
Moreover, they are exploring the possibility of replacing nickel with iron, a metal that is more common and environmentally friendly.
### The Future of Energy Storage
Although this zinc-air battery remains a prototype, Arjona believes it represents a promising direction for battery technology.
“If we want highly safe batteries, we need to design them with single-atom catalysts,” he says. “This is the future of energy storage.”
https://knowridge.com/2025/11/new-zinc-air-battery-keeps-working-even-after-being-punctured-or-submerged-in-water/