Chinese scientists create new battery with electrolyte as safe as tofu brine

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Victoria BelaFebruary 20, 2026 at 11:00 PM

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Chinese scientists have developed a new, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly water-based battery. The battery utilizes organic electrodes and an electrolyte that is non-toxic, similar in safety to tofu brine. Developed by researchers from City University of Hong Kong, Yanan University, the Southern University of Science and Technology and Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, the battery eliminates the flammability risk and hazardous waste concerns associated with conventional lithium-ion batteries. Published in *Nature Communications* on February 18, the research indicates the battery can endure over 120,000 recharge cycles with minimal performance degradation. This innovation offers a potentially safer and cheaper alternative for applications such as electric vehicles and large-scale grid storage.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Hong Kong 50% Nature Communications 60% Southern University of Science and Technology 70% City University of Hong Kong 70% Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory 70% Yanan University 70% China 90%

Keywords

battery 100% water-based battery 90% electrolyte 70% eco-friendly 70% long-lasting 60% recharge cycles 60% electric vehicles 50% lithium-ion batteries 50% grid storage 40% environmental friendliness 40%