Indian scientists have developed a groundbreaking foldable battery that is flexible, safe to touch, and environmentally friendly – marking a major step toward sustainable energy solutions.
Researchers from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), in collaboration with the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at IISc Bengaluru, have created a battery that can fold like paper and avoid the overheating risks associated with lithium-ion technology.
The foldable battery uses aluminium – one of Earth’s most abundant metals – and a water-based electrolyte, making it safer, cheaper and more sustainable. To overcome aluminium’s complex chemistry, scientists engineered a cathode from copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCFe) pre-filled with aluminium ions, paired with a molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) anode.
The result is a battery that retains 96.77% of its capacity after 150 charge-discharge cycles and remains functional even when folded in half. Researchers demonstrated its durability by powering an LCD display while the battery was bent at extreme angles.
This innovation opens doors to flexible smartphones, wearable tech, and safer electric vehicles. It also supports global sustainability goals by reducing reliance on hazardous materials. This work was published in the Journal of Energy Storage.
