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Gold prices remain high in India; check 22K, 24K rates in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru International gold prices also climbed to a more than three-month high on Monday. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:46:24 IST By HT News Desk Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Gold prices remained high in India on
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80 Times Cheaper Than Lithium

80 Times Cheaper Than Lithium: China’s Iron Battery Breakthrough Could Transform Energy Storage
For the past few years, lithium-ion batteries have been the backbone of the global renewable energy ecosystem, powering sectors such as electric vehicles and consumer electronics. The focus has remained on improving their efficiency and performance so they last longer and handle heavier demands. At the same time, cost and life cycle continue to be key concerns when it comes to lithium-ion batteries.
When there are millions spending on making lithium ion batteries cheaper and better, China has run parallel to develop ‘all-iron flow battery’.
Chinese scientists have achieved a breakthrough in the technology, with the potential to offer an alternative option in renewable energy storage in electrical devices.
Iron batteries are said to be 80 times cheaper than lithium batteries, making a preferable choice if they can be used for a longer period.
As of now, all-iron flow battery degrades early, making it a useless option for electrical devices. However, it seems to have been changed soon.
A team from the Institute of Metal Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) reported the development of a highly stable electrolyte capable of sustaining thousands of charge-discharge cycles with virtually no capacity loss.
According to the press release, all-iron flow battery offers a low-cost, long-life solutions for large-scale energy storage.
All-iron flow batteries rely on abundant, inexpensive iron and non-flammable water-based electrolytes. The production costs for iron-based battery is cheap than those of lithium batteries.
Until now, companies prefer lithium ion batteries as they are more stable and have a long life.
Moreover, all-iron flow batteries have instability in the iron-based anolyte on the negative side of the battery, causing active materials to degrade and leak across the membrane. It reduces operational life of the battery.
The Chinese research team tackled the problem at the molecular level using what they call a “synergistic design" strategy. At the heart of this approach is a newly engineered iron complex that serves a dual role—as a structural shield and an electrostatic barrier.
Its bulky and rigid framework offers steric protection by physically preventing hydroxide ions from reaching and attacking the iron centre. At the same time, the molecule carries a dense negative charge, creating an electrostatic “force field" that repels similarly charged species, thereby stopping the active material from crossing the membrane.
In a media release, CAS noted, “The battery operated stably for over 6,000 cycles with no capacity decay. After 6,000 cycles, there was no precipitation, no accumulation of by-products and both the structure and reversibility remained intact."
Source: News18
Related Posts: all-iron flow battery, iron flow battery, lithium-ion batteries, renewable energy storage, Chinese battery breakthrough, iron-based electrolyte, large-scale energy storage
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