A team led by Professor Neeraj Sharma from UNSW Science has patented a prototype lithium-ion battery that replaces graphite electrodes with compounds derived from food acids such as tartaric and malic acid. These food acids, sourced from fruits and winemaking, improve battery performance and significantly reduce environmental impacts.
“We’ve developed an electrode that can increase the energy storage capacity of lithium-ion batteries while minimizing the use of toxic solvents,” explains Prof. Sharma. The prototype currently being optimized is a single-layer pouch cell, similar to those found in mobile devices but smaller in size.
Food acids are advantageous due to their availability and lower environmental footprint. Prof. Sharma emphasizes that using food acids from food waste streams could further reduce environmental and economic impacts, creating a sustainable supply chain for battery production.
Australia’s food waste costs its economy $36.6 billion annually, contributing about 3% of its greenhouse gas emissions. By utilizing waste streams from industries operating at scale, companies can diversify their inputs for battery production and address environmental concerns simultaneously. “This approach allows the industry to address both sustainability and economic considerations,” Prof. Sharma adds.
Furthermore, the research extends beyond lithium-ion technology. The team’s innovations apply to sodium-ion batteries, offering another greener and more cost-effective alternative than traditional lithium-based systems.
The need for efficient energy storage has grown as renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, expand globally. However, less than 10% of the projected global renewable energy storage needs have been met, presenting an urgent demand for innovation. Prof. Sharma highlights the limitations of current lithium-ion battery technologies, including low storage capacities, high costs, and environmentally unfriendly processes.
“Graphite, which is predominantly used in lithium-ion battery anodes, requires extensive mining and purification, resulting in significant environmental impacts,” Prof. Sharma explains. He notes that around 60% of the graphite is lost during the high-temperature processing steps needed to achieve the required purity. Although advances in purification may reduce costs, the inherent limitations of graphite’s storage capacity necessitate innovation.
By replacing graphite with food-acid-derived compounds, UNSW’s approach enhances battery energy storage, ionic conductivity, and structural stability. This innovation improves the capabilities of devices ranging from micro-batteries, which power medical technologies, to large-scale batteries designed for trucks and industrial applications. As Prof. Sharma notes, understanding battery chemistry enables researchers to design materials that meet specific needs, enhancing the performance and sustainability of real-world devices.
The UNSW research team also works with various food acids and metals to identify the most accessible and affordable combinations. “For instance, while Australia has abundant iron reserves, other regions may find manganese or zinc more available for use as battery components,” Prof. Sharma explains.
As the technology scales, the team is transitioning from small coin cells to larger pouch cells to demonstrate industrial viability better. Their next phase involves testing use and recharge cycles under different conditions to optimize performance further. This innovation positions the technology to meet the growing demand for sustainable battery solutions across sectors, from electric vehicles to grid storage.
The future of batteries extends beyond innovation in performance; end-of-life considerations, such as recycling, are critical for the circular economy. In ten to twenty years, many batteries from electric vehicles, power tools, and grid storage systems will need to be repurposed or recycled. However, current recycling processes are energy-intensive and rely on harsh chemicals.
Prof. Sharma stresses the importance of developing efficient, sustainable recycling methods. “We need to find clever ways to reuse materials from spent batteries, minimizing the use of chemicals and creating a closed-loop system,” he says. As more companies look to create sustainable supply chains, such innovations in recycling are vital for long-term environmental and economic gains.
