IIT Madras partners Hindustan Zinc to develop advanced zinc-air battery tech

Press release. 10th October 2024

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Hindustan Zinc, India’s largest and the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop 1 kWh electrically-rechargeable zinc-air battery prototype.

This partnership marks an important t step forward in the evolution of zinc-based battery technologies, leveraging zinc’s abundant resource availability, safety records and availability . While lithium-ion batteries currently dominates the EV market, their high cost, limited resource availability of resources and concerns on safety creates major challenges that zinc-based alternatives can successfully address.

Speaking about this partnership , Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said: “Zinc, a critical metal across numerous industries, is set to play a crucial role in the global energy transition. Our metal offers a sustainable and economically viable alternative to lithium in energy storage technology.  Our partnership with IIT Madras will advance research on zinc-air battery technology, that will redefine the future of energy storage. By exploring new applications of zinc in energy storage, we are committed to contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for the generations to come.”

Leading the research team from IIT Madras, Prof. Aravind Kumar Chandiran, Head of Hyundai Hydrogen Innovation Hub, IIT Madras, conducts extensive skill in energy storage solutions like solar cells and zinc-air batteries. His research team has developed a prototype of rechargeable zinc-air battery and holds three Indian patents for innovations in resistance of leak , recharging of anode and replacement of anode design. This collaboration aims to increase energy storage systems, with potential applications in renewable energy, data centers and telecommunications.

Highlighting the expected outcomes, Prof. Aravind Kumar Chandiran, who is also a faculty in the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “Zinc-air batteries offer a promising solution for overcoming the challenges faced by current energy storage technologies. Our partnership with HindustanZinc allows us to leverage our expertise in zinc-air battery research and their industry leadership in metals to develop innovative solutions that act as significant energy storage systems for EVs and stationary storage systems. The successful development of this prototype will accelerate India’s capabilities in advanced battery technologies and pave the way for further innovations in the field.”

Zinc-Air batteries are emerging as a most important solution , known for its long-duration storage capabilities, potential and durability to be a more affordable option to lithium-ion batteries. Compared to lithium, which is over four folds much more expensive, zinc offers a more affordable solution with super performance actions.

According to Hindustan Zinc, the  battery’s technology is much more stable than lithium-ion chemistry and safer for vehicles because it utilizes water-based electrolytes and no flammables. Zinc-air batteries offers longer shelf life and is operational at low power with higher energy efficiency differentiated from lithium-ion batteries.

past research in zinc-air battery technology by IIT Madras has yielded remarkable results which has addressed the flaws of lithium-ion batteries the market is currently facing with, so far. Unlike the replacement of whole battery packs in the case of lithium-ion batteries, used zinc battery cassette packs can be removed and replaced with fully charged ones thereby adding recharge option to the list of advantages. Zinc-Air batteries signify a tremendous leap in the energy storage segment for being green and economically viable.

This MoU with IIT Madras complements Hindustan Zinc’s ongoing efforts in the battery storage space. Recently, the company signed an MoU with Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) to develop next-generation zinc-ion powered batteries. Prior to that, Hindustan Zinc partnered with AEsir Technologies, Inc., a US-based company specializing in next-generation of nickel-zinc battery technologies.