Scientists have created an exciting new battery that works in seawater and could power devices used in the ocean.
Most batteries are hard and can’t handle water, but this one is flexible and thrives in salty water.
The new yarn-like battery could help light up fishing nets, life jackets, or buoys.
The battery, developed by Yan Qiao, Zhisong Lu, and their team, uses seawater as a key part of its design.
It acts as the electrolyte—a liquid that helps move electricity through the battery.
This idea builds on their earlier work, where they created a battery powered by sweat for fitness devices.
Since seawater contains helpful ions like sodium and chloride, it’s perfect for this new marine-friendly battery.
To make the battery, the researchers used carbon fiber treated with special coatings.
They coated one bundle with nickel hexacyanoferrate for the positive electrode and another with polyamide for the negative electrode.
The two bundles were twisted into yarn-like strings. These strings were wrapped in fiberglass and covered with a fabric that lets seawater in while protecting the battery.
The battery was tested in saltwater and proved strong and durable. Even after being bent 4,000 times, it held its charge well. It also performed well over 200 charging cycles in seawater, retaining most of its efficiency.
To show how it works, the researchers created a fishing net from the battery yarn and soaked it in seawater. When charged, the net powered a panel of 10 LED lights. They also wove the battery into a fabric, which ran a timer for over an hour when placed in a sodium sulfate solution.
This yarn-like battery is lightweight, flexible, and safe to use in salty environments. It could be a game-changer for marine devices, offering a reliable and innovative way to stay powered in and around the ocean.
Source: American Chemical Society.
