• About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Events
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Company news
    • People and appointments
    • Contracts awarded
  • Features
  • Critical minerals
    • Chromium
    • Cobalt
    • Lithium
  • Commodities
    • Alumina
    • Coal
    • Copper
    • Gold
    • Iron ore
    • Nickel
    • Oil and gas
    • Uranium
  • Smart mining
    • Industrial Automation
    • Big Data
    • Cyber Security
    • IOT
  • Sustainability
    • Circular economy
    • Environmental management
    • Mine rehabilitation
    • Energy efficiency
    • Water and waste management
  • Asset Management
    • Condition Assessment
    • Instrumentation, Control & Monitoring
    • Maintenance
No Results
View All Results
  • News
    • Company news
    • People and appointments
    • Contracts awarded
  • Features
  • Critical minerals
    • Chromium
    • Cobalt
    • Lithium
  • Commodities
    • Alumina
    • Coal
    • Copper
    • Gold
    • Iron ore
    • Nickel
    • Oil and gas
    • Uranium
  • Smart mining
    • Industrial Automation
    • Big Data
    • Cyber Security
    • IOT
  • Sustainability
    • Circular economy
    • Environmental management
    • Mine rehabilitation
    • Energy efficiency
    • Water and waste management
  • Asset Management
    • Condition Assessment
    • Instrumentation, Control & Monitoring
    • Maintenance
No Results
View All Results
Home Sustainability Energy efficiency

Zinc-air battery discovery could drive zinc demand

by Kody Cook
August 29, 2023
in Critical minerals, Energy efficiency, News, Sustainability
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Raw zinc
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found that zinc-air batteries could be cheaper and safer than their lithium-ion counterparts

The project tested zinc-air batteries using a combination of cheaper, safer and sustainably sourced materials, which allowed for improved lifespan and performance.

ECU’s Dr Muhammad Rizwan Azhar led the project which discovered that lithium-ion batteries, although a popular choice for electric vehicles around the world, face limitations related to cost, finite resources, and safety concerns.

Dr Azhar said that rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are becoming more appealing because of their low cost, environmental friendliness, high theoretical energy density, and inherent safety. 

“With the emergence of next-generation long-range vehicles and electric aircraft in the market, there is an increasing need for safer, more cost-effective, and higher-performance battery systems that can surpass the capabilities of lithium-ion batteries,” Dr Azhar said. 

A zinc-air battery consists of a zinc negative electrode and an air positive electrode.

The major disadvantage of this technology has been the limited power output, due to poor performance of air electrodes and short lifespan – until now.

ECU’s breakthrough has enabled engineers to use a combination of new materials, such as carbon, cheaper iron and cobalt based minerals to redesign zinc-air batteries.

“The new design has been so efficient it suppressed the internal resistance of batteries, and their voltage was close to the theoretical voltage which resulted in a high peak power density and ultra-long stability,” Dr Azhar said.

“In addition to revolutionising the energy storage industry, this breakthrough contributes significantly to building a sustainable society, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, and mitigating environmental impacts.

“By using natural resources, such as zinc from Australia and air, this further enhances the cost-effectiveness and viability of these innovative zinc-air batteries for the future.”

Dr Azhar said that while renewable resources such as solar, wind, and hydro energy play a critical role in the future of green energy, they are not completely reliable solutions as they are intermittent sources of energy.

“Due to the abundance of zinc available in countries such as Australia, and the ubiquity of air, this becomes a highly viable and reliable energy storage solution.”

Related Posts

Image: Wahoo Marketing.

Wahoo, COG and Prime unite to elevate mining marketing

by Prealene Khera
July 17, 2025

Wahoo Marketing has elevated its mining sector marketing and communication services through a strategic ownership restructure with COG Advertising and...

Sun on solar panels. Image: bombermoon/shutterstock.com

CSE25: Where engineering meets impact

by Prealene Khera
July 17, 2025

Climate change is no longer a threat; it’s a baseline consideration in many engineering decisions. From transport systems and energy...

Imagevixen/stock.adobe.com

Matsa Resources gold mine ticks off operational milestone

by Joseph Misuraca
July 17, 2025

Matsa Resources’ Devon Pit gold mine in Western Australia is now fully operational, with haulage to FMR Investments’ processing plant...

Read our magazine

Join our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.
Mining has been developed to keep you up-to-date with all of the latest news, discussions, innovation and projects in the Australian mining sector. Our vision is that this hub will arm decision makers all over Australia with the critical information they need to be ahead of technologies and trends to improve operations and compete in an international market.

Subscribe to our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

About Mining Magazine

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Digital Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Events
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Collection Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics

  • News
  • Spotlight
  • Projects
  • Critical minerals
  • Commodities
  • Sustainability
  • Exploration
  • Investment

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited

No Results
View All Results
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Company news
    • People and appointments
    • Contracts awarded
  • Features
  • Critical minerals
    • Chromium
    • Cobalt
    • Lithium
  • Commodities
    • Alumina
    • Coal
    • Copper
    • Gold
    • Iron ore
    • Nickel
    • Oil and gas
    • Uranium
  • Smart mining
    • Industrial Automation
    • Big Data
    • Cyber Security
    • IOT
  • Sustainability
    • Circular economy
    • Environmental management
    • Mine rehabilitation
    • Energy efficiency
    • Water and waste management
  • Asset Management
    • Condition Assessment
    • Instrumentation, Control & Monitoring
    • Maintenance
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Events

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited