BioZincPower: Pioneering sustainable energy storage with biopolymer-based zinc-ion systems

2026-07-22

We stand on the brink of a significant energy transition, marked by the phasing out of coal, the rise of electromobility, and the increasing reliance on renewable energy sources. Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) are pivotal in driving this technological shift, dominating the commercial power supply market and powering a wide range of applications. However, these conventional energy storage solutions are not without their drawbacks, including concerns over operational safety, rising production costs, potential scarcity of natural resources, and challenges related to universal waste disposal. Zn-ion rechargeable power sources, encompassing both batteries and supercapacitors, present a compelling alternative to traditional LIBs and EDLCs. This emerging technology boasts several advantages, including high gravimetric and volumetric theoretical capacities, affordability, enhanced safety, and environmental sustainability. Despite these benefits, zinc-ion systems face significant hurdles that impede their widespread adoption for commercial applications. These challenges include the need for optimized electrode designs, the risk of liquid electrolyte leakage, rigid construction, and the reliance on synthetic polymer-based components. The BioZincPower project seeks to address these challenges by pioneering the development of biopolymer-based Zn-ion systems. This research will focus on transforming biopolymers into specialized components such as active materials, binders, and gel electrolytes, and integrating them into zinc-ion energy storage devices. This innovative approach promises to deliver a technology that is efficient, safe, cost-effective, non-combustive, flexible, and environmentally sustainable. The project will emphasize overcoming the performance and environmental limitations associated with LIBs while also exploring the potential for wearable energy storage solutions through cutting-edge biobased technological advancements.

Belgium

2026-01-01