Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a 3D-printed battery they believe could play a significant role in helping achieve net-zero emissions.
The battery is based on flow battery technology, which is widely regarded as essential for expanding renewable energy by storing electricity generated from wind and solar power for use when conditions are less favourable.
Unlike conventional flow batteries, which rely on vanadium—a costly metal produced in only a handful of countries—the new design uses iron, a far more abundant and affordable material.
The team has distributed the 3D-printed battery to research groups around the world in an effort to standardise testing and improve the consistency of research. They hope this will speed up innovation in renewable energy storage, making research findings more reliable and easier to scale for real-world applications.