University of California researchers develop recyclable zinc-ion supercapacitors

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a structural zinc-ion supercapacitor designed to combat the growing issue of electronic waste. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which use flammable electrolytes and are difficult to disassemble, this new technology utilizes a water-based, non-flammable electrolyte and soluble adhesives.

These supercapacitors are “structural,” meaning they serve a dual purpose by acting as both an energy storage unit and a load-bearing mechanical component within a device. The design features a zinc metal anode on copper foil and a carbon fiber cathode coated with activated carbon.

In practical testing, researchers used the components to power a glider's propellers. They successfully demonstrated that the supercapacitors could be quickly disassembled and the materials reused to create new, functional energy storage units, offering a more sustainable alternative for portable electronics like smartphones and smartwatches.