Nailed, burned, and submerged: New zinc-air battery refuses to die

Researchers at Mexico’s Center for Advanced Materials Research (CIMAV) have developed a novel zinc-air battery (ZAB) that demonstrates exceptional durability and safety, continuing to operate even after being punctured, burned, or submerged in water. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which pose fire risks due to flammable electrolytes and rely on scarce, expensive metals like lithium and cobalt, this new design uses abundant materials such as zinc and nickel. The battery features a carbon sheet embedded with individual nickel atoms as electrodes, significantly reducing metal usage while maintaining high performance. This structure, combined with a gel polymer electrolyte, eliminates many safety hazards associated with traditional batteries. The prototype was rigorously tested under extreme conditions, including nailing, burning, and submersion, and showed no loss of function or efficiency, even in very high or low temperatures. This resilience makes it a promising candidate for applications in electric vehicles, aerospace, and remote sensors, especially in challenging environments. The researchers also aim to enhance the battery