World's First Eco-Friendly Battery: Lasts Up to 6,000 Cycles for a 30-Year Lifespan

A Ukrainian startup called SorbiForce has achieved a significant milestone by developing a prototype for an eco-friendly, metal-free organic battery using agricultural waste. This innovation aims to reduce the ecological footprint caused by traditional batteries.

In addition to agricultural waste, the energy storage firm based in Arizona asserts that their product was created using solely carbon, water, and salt. They believe this makes theirs the planet’s first genuinely eco-friendly battery.

Led by materials scientist Serhii Kaminskyi, who serves as SorbiForce’s CEO and co-founder, the team conceived their concept upon recognizing that agriculture produces approximately 2.1 billion tons of waste annually.

Furthermore, the restricted and frequently dangerous techniques used for recycling traditional batteries underscored the critical requirement for environmentally friendly and more sustainable alternatives.

“The present design of energy storage systems and batteries has significant environmental impacts on our planet,” states Kevin Drolet, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer.

Developing the concept

In order to develop the cutting-edge battery, Kaminskyi assembled a group of specialists in the late 2010s. This achievement ultimately secured their position at the University of Arizona Center for Innovation. startup incubator "We've truly grasped the concept that waste holds value and that you can build a profitable business around it," Drolet stresses.

After years of study, the group created sorption batteries that utilize three physical mechanisms to facilitate electron movement through an ultra-porous medium. carbon layer At its heart, this involves shifting them between the cathode and the anode. The research group states that because both electrodes are composed of carbon, the battery is entirely fireproof.

"What truly makes our technology fascinating is that the ultraporous carbon materials Actually improve over time," the Chief Marketing Officer clarifies. "The battery life might last up to 30 years provided you continue adding more water.

What stands out the most, however, is that when a cell reaches the end of its life cycle, up to 95 percent of the battery can be disintegrated into organic substances, with the remaining parts being suitable for reuse afterward.

Moreover, Drolet notes that in contrast to lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which frequently end up as harmful plastic waste or present safety hazards When recycled, SorbiForce cells present no danger of exploding, thermal runaway, or releasing toxins due to their metal-free composition and sealed construction, even when sliced in two.

Looking ahead

As the startup prepares for its initial pilot projects ranging from 60 kWh to 150 kWh scheduled for the latter part of this year, it is now aiming to secure a funding round of $5 million. seed funding Before the round ends, Drolet believes that the minimal expenses coupled with substantial demand will facilitate swift expansion for the company.

"Unlike lithium-ion batteries, our capital expenditure costs are significantly lower since the salts and materials required for these batteries are abundantly available in the United States," states Drolet.

Drolet mentions that with a life span surpassing 6,000 cycles and the capability for module stacking, transitioning from pilot programs to large-scale production is just about gaining experience since the demand is already present.

"There's a significant requirement to create technologies that are both fireproof and explosion-proof, manufactured domestically," Drolet states, mentioning that the firm intends to start releasing its inaugural batteries via preliminary sales before the end of this year.

"If you manage to create something that does not ignite accidentally, that holds significant value; we can achieve this as we work towards establishing a circular economy for energy storage," he summarizes.