Belfast Scientists 3D-Print Affordable Battery for Renewable Energy

Scientists at Queen’s University Belfast developed a 3D-printed flow battery using iron, a readily available material, to address the high cost and limited sourcing of traditional vanadium-based batteries. Flow batteries are crucial for storing renewable energy generated from sources like wind and solar power, but their widespread adoption has been hindered by expense and geopolitical constraints on vanadium supply.

Researchers, led by Dr. Hugh O'Connor, initially created the battery to reduce costs for their own research, then recognized a broader need for standardized testing equipment within the international scientific community.

Rather than patenting the design, the team released it freely, providing an “Ikea-style instruction manual” to colleagues worldwide. This open-source approach aims to improve the reliability and scalability of research into flow battery technology. They are now testing larger stacks of the printed cells to assess their potential for industrial applications and contribute to achieving net-zero emissions goals by 2050.