IIT Madras partners with Hindustan Zinc for battery development

chennai: hindustan zinc limited, india's largest zinc producer, has partnered with iit madras to develop a 1 kwh rechargeable zinc-air battery prototype. this collaboration aims to address challenges in energy storage by creating a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, which are expensive and have safety concerns.zinc is a more affordable, safer option for energy storage, with a long history in battery technologies. the partnership will advance zinc-air batteries, which offer longer life cycles, superior performance, and safety for applications like electric vehicles and stationary storage.prof. aravind kumar chandiran, leading the iit madras team, highlighted zinc-air batteries' potential to revolutionize energy storage, particularly for renewable energy, data centers, and telecommunications. this move aligns with global efforts to enhance energy storage, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable solutions.this collaboration strengthens india's position in next-generation battery technology and supports its goal of self-reliant energy.