Khaberni - A research team from Stanford University in the USA has unveiled a new nickel and iron battery that features ultra-fast charging within just seconds, and an ability to endure up to 12,000 charge and discharge cycles without significant loss of energy.
The details of this study were published in the journal Nature Communications in February 2026, paving the way for a potential revolution in the field of electrical energy storage.
How does the new battery work?
The battery relies on enhancing traditional nickel and iron cells with advanced modifications in the electrodes, significantly accelerating the electrical reaction within the cell.
The researchers used nanocatalysts to stimulate the electrodes to reduce electrical resistance, which allows the battery to be fully charged in less than a minute in lab tests, without noticeable performance degradation.
Dr. Wei Choi, the leader of the research team, stated: "The experiments proved that the battery withstood more than 12,000 charge and discharge cycles without any significant loss in storage capacity, compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries that degrade after only a thousand to two thousand cycles".
Development of Nickel-Iron Batteries
While nickel-iron batteries are not new, having been used since the early twentieth century, the slow charging and discharging process was a barrier to their wide adoption.
The current innovation lies in modifying the chemical interaction interfaces within the cells and stimulating the electrodes, which achieved unprecedented charging speed while maintaining durability.
Professor Hongji Zu, a member of the team, added: "The battery can be directly charged and then used several times repeatedly without performance degradation, representing a significant leap in the industrial battery sector".
The new battery surpasses lithium-ion batteries in terms of environmental safety and security, as it is free from hazardous elements like cobalt, and has a very low self-combustion rate.
In addition, it can be manufactured from abundant and relatively low-cost materials, making it a promising option for industrial and environmental applications alike.
Broad Applications
The research team confirms that the battery is particularly suitable for applications that require instant energy and high-density repeated charge cycles, such as:
Solar and wind energy storage
Support for electrical grids
Operation of light transport equipment
Emergency and backup power systems
So far, the university has not announced specific commercial plans, focusing the study on presenting the scientific results. The project has received support from national American research programs in sustainable energy.
According to a statement from Stanford University, all tests were conducted in a controlled lab environment without detecting any emissions or environmental risks.
The team continues to monitor the battery's long-term performance to study the efficiency of material stability and long-term storage capacity.
Scientific sources indicate that nickel-iron batteries were known for their long-term endurance, but recent developments in active electrodes have opened the door to achieving fast and continuous performance without sacrificing durability, making them part of future sustainable energy strategies.
