The project is supported by a $129,842 grant from the SPARKS (Seed Projects Aligning Research, Knowledge and Skills) joint program, which strengthens long-term collaboration between SwRI and SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering. The work targets a critical challenge: electricity demand is rising quickly as AI computing expands, forcing utilities and operators to find dependable, scalable power—especially when renewables fluctuate or outages extend.

Batteries excel for short-term storage, but their duration is limited. Hydrogen-based storage, by contrast, can extend energy availability from hours to days, making it attractive for prolonged disruptions. The microgrid concept pairs a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a long-duration hydrogen energy storage system (HESS), enabling energy to be shifted across both short and long timescales.

At the core of the system is a hybrid energy stack that includes fuel cells, advanced solid-state storage technologies, renewable generation, and grid integration. Hydrogen is produced on site using electrolyzers that split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, allowing energy to be stored chemically and later converted back into electricity through fuel cells.

The AI controller will manage energy dispatch under realistic operating conditions while optimizing cost and renewable utilization. Rather than relying on fixed control rules, it will use physics-informed artificial intelligence to respect equipment constraints—factors that directly influence performance and long-term lifetime of storage and conversion components.

To train and validate decision-making, the team will employ a digital twin: a continuously updated virtual replica of the physical microgrid. This model will emulate workloads relevant to data centers and capture system dynamics needed to test dispatch strategies before deployment.

Crucially, SwRI’s on-campus infrastructure—featuring grid-connected BESS capacity ranging from 250 kilowatts to 500 kilowatt-hours—will support rigorous hardware-in-the-loop testing. Using real controllers in an emulated environment, engineers can stress the AI with rapid load swings, renewable volatility, and grid events without putting customers or the grid at risk.

“We’re working to create a control system that helps hybrid microgrids integrate long-duration energy storage and renewable power without sacrificing reliability,” said Dr. Richard Fu of SwRI. Dr. Jianhui Wang of SMU added that the digital twin and physics-informed AI approach enable intelligent coordination while respecting constraints.

“This work demonstrates how SwRI can contribute to the effective development of next generation data centers or other critical facilities by designing, controlling, and validating resilient, low-carbon power systems from concept through deployment,” Fu said. For further context, the project builds on SwRI’s broader expertise in advanced algorithms, energy storage technologies, and performance validation.

Subject of Research: AI-driven hybrid microgrid control (BESS + hydrogen long-duration storage)
Article Title: SwRI and SMU Developing AI Controller for Battery-Hydrogen Hybrid Microgrids
News Publication Date: July 14, 2026
Web References: https://www.swri.org/markets/energy-environment/power-generation-utilities/conventional-power-generation/energy-storage-systems
References: SPARKS grant (Seed Projects Aligning Research, Knowledge and Skills) between SwRI and SMU Lyle School of Engineering
Image Credits: Southwest Research Institute

At the heart of the FZS battery lies the ingenious use of nanoscale zinc particles suspended within a conductive network slurry. Unlike traditional solid anode materials that suffer from mechanical degradation and dendrite formation, these zinc nanoparticles engage in reversible Zn/Zn²⁺ redox reactions with enhanced stability. The fluidic nature of the slurry enables continuous redispersion, which counteracts the formation of large zinc aggregates and uneven electrodeposition—longstanding technical obstacles in metal-based battery systems.

A crucial enabler of the slurry’s impressive performance is a ligand-assisted surface confinement mechanism. Ligands coordinate onto the surface of zinc nanoparticles, effectively modulating their growth dynamics during charge-discharge cycles. This controlled confinement curbs excessive dendritic zinc growth and suppresses parasitic side reactions, which typically degrade battery efficiency and lifespan. The result is the uniform formation of monodisperse zinc nanocrystals dispersed uniformly throughout the flowing slurry, ensuring consistent electrochemical activity across the system.

The electrochemical prowess of the FZS system is undeniably compelling. In asymmetric cell configurations using copper current collectors, the battery demonstrated a remarkable Coulombic efficiency of 99.94% at a high current density of 8 mA cm⁻². Such high efficiency at elevated current densities speaks volumes about the system’s ability to minimize side reactions and charge losses, a perennial challenge in aqueous metal batteries where irreversible zinc plating can compromise performance.

Extending the testing to symmetric cells, the zinc slurry displayed extraordinary cycling stability. The researchers report continuous operation for an impressive 5,128 hours at an even more aggressive current density of 22.5 mA cm⁻², delivering a capacity of 135 mAh cm⁻² under constant slurry flow conditions. These performance metrics not only demonstrate the mechanical and chemical robustness of the slurry but also highlight its suitability for real-world applications demanding prolonged energy storage across multiple charge-discharge cycles.

Full-cell architectures further underscore the versatility and practical potential of the FZS battery. When coupled with manganese dioxide (MnO₂) cathodes, the FZS | | MnO₂ full cells exhibited excellent capacity retention, maintaining 81.1% of their initial capacity after an extraordinary 5,500 cycles at a rate of 10 A g⁻¹. Such longevity at high rates is rare for aqueous metal-ion batteries and marks a significant stride towards commercial viability, where long cycle life is a critical economic and operational parameter.

Moreover, full cells integrating oxygen (O₂) electrodes revealed noteworthy endurance and capacity delivery. These FZS | | O₂ cells achieved a capacity of 1.65 Ah sustained over 100 hours at a current density of 1.35 mA cm⁻². This performance is particularly relevant for redox flow battery configurations targeting scalable energy storage coupled with oxygen-based electrochemical reactions, potentially broadening the range of discharge chemistries exploitable within the metal slurry framework.

The transformative aspect of the flowing zinc slurry technology lies in its harmonious balance between material innovation and system design. The slurry configuration inherently promotes stable metal redox cycling through continuous suspension and flow, fundamentally shifting away from static electrode architectures. This dynamic environment mitigates common failure modes associated with dendrite growth, mechanical stress, and volumetric expansion encountered in solid anodes, thereby extending operational lifetime without forfeiting energy density.

In addition to technical merits, the FZS battery advances the discourse on economic and safety considerations vital to grid-scale energy storage. Zinc is a low-cost, abundant, and non-toxic metal, giving the technology a substantial advantage over systems relying on scarce or toxic materials. The aqueous electrolyte employed further enhances safety by mitigating risks linked with flammable organic solvents, a recurrent concern in lithium-ion batteries. These attributes collectively pave the way for a sustainable, economically feasible, and safe energy storage solution.

The researchers’ ligand-assisted approach designates a new paradigm in nanoparticle engineering within flowable media. By tailoring surface chemistry, they not only stabilize zinc nanoparticles during redox cycling but also suppress extraneous reactions that often lead to battery self-discharge and capacity fade. This intricate interplay between chemistry and electrochemistry underscores the importance of interface control in designing next-generation batteries.

The scalability potential of the flowing zinc slurry system holds particular importance given the accelerating global demand for renewable energy integration. Traditional redox flow batteries, which rely on dissolved ions, have typically faltered due to low energy densities or short lifespans. The metal slurry approach uniquely combines the advantageous features of flow batteries—including modularity and decoupled energy-power scaling—with the high storage capacity of metal redox chemistry, offering a pathway to cost-effective, durable grid storage.

Furthermore, the continuous slurry circulation system facilitates efficient heat management and uniform electrode utilization, critical for maintaining performance during extended operation. This approach also opens vistas for advanced flow cell architectures, potentially incorporating multi-electrode configurations and hybrid chemistries to maximize energy throughput and stability.

The implications of this technology reverberate beyond stationary energy storage. The fundamental insights into nanoparticle stabilization and slurry dynamics could inform battery designs for electric vehicles, backup power systems, and even emerging applications like off-grid renewable microgrids. By addressing key bottlenecks in zinc metal cycling, this work lays a foundation for broader adoption of zinc-based energy storage across various sectors.

While these accomplishments mark a tremendous leap forward, further engineering efforts will be necessary to optimize system integration, scale manufacturing, and validate field performance under real-world conditions. Nonetheless, the current findings effectively dispel longstanding doubts about zinc’s viability in flow battery formats, positioning the flowing zinc slurry battery as a leading candidate for next-generation, high-capacity, long-duration energy storage.

In conclusion, the flowing zinc slurry battery represents a milestone in the pursuit of economically viable, scalable, and safe long-duration energy storage. By ingeniously leveraging nanomaterial surface chemistry within a dynamic slurry system, the researchers have forged an energy storage platform capable of meeting the rigorous demands imposed by renewable energy technologies. As the energy transition accelerates globally, innovations such as these will be crucial for fostering resilient and sustainable power grids.

This work not only propels zinc-based batteries into the spotlight but also establishes a prototype framework for metal-slurry-based flow batteries, enriching the landscape with new materials strategies and system-level design principles. As commercialization efforts advance, the flowing zinc slurry system may well become a cornerstone technology in the decarbonized energy economy of the future.

Subject of Research: Long-duration energy storage focusing on flowing zinc slurry metal batteries for renewable energy integration.

Article Title: Flowing zinc slurry for long-duration energy storage.

Article References:
Chen, W., Wang, Y., Liu, Z. et al. Flowing zinc slurry for long-duration energy storage. Nat Energy (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02091-w

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02091-w

Flow batteries differ fundamentally from conventional solid-state batteries. They operate akin to extra-large fuel tanks where the “engine” driving the energy conversion remains constant, but the quantity of stored energy depends heavily on the volume of fluid stored in external tanks. This unique architecture enables scalability; increasing the size of the tanks can proportionally increase the energy stored without altering the battery’s core electrochemical mechanisms. The innovation from the Case Western Reserve team centers on a new class of electrolytes that overcome traditional limitations by enabling enhanced proton conductivity while maintaining safety and stability.

One significant drawback of many present-day battery electrolytes is their volatility and flammability, especially in large-scale applications. The newly developed electrolytes exhibit reduced volatility, rendering them less susceptible to evaporation and combustion under stress conditions. This safety feature represents a considerable leap forward in mitigating the risks associated with large energy storage units. Furthermore, these electrolytes foster proton conduction via a Grotthuss-type mechanism, where protons “hop” between molecules rather than physically migrating through the liquid medium, dramatically improving conductivity despite the electrolyte’s high viscosity.

The Grotthuss mechanism, historically understood within the context of proton transfer in water and other hydrogen-bonded networks, involves the relay-like transfer of protons between adjacent molecules. Applying this principle to electrolytes in flow batteries enables conductivity to be decoupled from fluid thickness or viscosity. Consequently, the electrolytes can remain thick, which enhances safety by reducing flammability, without sacrificing ionic conductivity. This paradigm shift in electrolyte design opens new frontiers for battery assembly, performance, and reliability, especially in grid-scale implementations.

This breakthrough was recently detailed in an article published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study meticulously characterizes these structured electrolytes using advanced spectroscopic methods, electrochemical analyses, and computational modeling to elucidate their molecular behavior and proton transfer dynamics. The energy frontier research centers at Case Western Reserve, known as the Breakthrough Electrolytes for Energy Storage Systems (BEES2 EFRC), played a pivotal role by integrating multidisciplinary expertise spanning chemistry, materials science, and engineering.

Crucially, this innovation contrasts sharply with conventional lithium-ion batteries, the dominant technology in portable electronics and electric vehicles. Lithium-ion electrolytes typically rely on the physical movement of lithium ions through relatively volatile organic solvents, often posing thermal runaway hazards and safety concerns at scale. The Case Western Reserve team’s electrolytes bypass these issues by utilizing proton-coupled electron transfer facilitated by a structured electrolyte system. This method ensures safer operation and holds promise for integration into large-capacity energy systems like renewable grid storage.

The research also addresses the issue of energy density — the amount of energy stored per unit volume or mass. While current iterations of the new electrolyte exhibit superior stability and conductivity, enhancing chemical solubility to achieve high energy densities remains an ongoing challenge. The team acknowledges that further development is necessary to optimize these parameters to meet the stringent demands of commercial-scale storage applications. Nevertheless, the conceptual framework sets a robust foundation for future advancements.

Beyond energy storage, the implications of these structured electrolytes extend into other electrochemical technologies. For instance, electrocatalysis, which involves accelerating chemical reactions electrically without high pressure or temperature, could benefit immensely. Enhanced proton conductivity may improve the efficiency and selectivity of processes such as hydrogen production or carbon dioxide reduction, broadening the impact of this research beyond batteries alone.

The innovation from Case Western Reserve University builds upon a rich 50-year tradition of excellence in electrochemistry and electrochemical engineering. This heritage underscores the institution’s role in bridging fundamental scientific insight with applied engineering challenges, fostering breakthroughs that resonate across academic and industrial landscapes alike. Collaborations with partners from several esteemed institutions, including New York University, City University of New York, and the University of Tennessee, among others, have propelled this research to its current promising state.

The conceptual leap provided by structured electrolytes illustrates how reimagining the microscopic interactions within battery systems can yield macro-scale benefits in safety, scalability, and performance. As the global demand for clean, reliable, and continuous energy intensifies, innovations such as these are crucial building blocks in the transition to a low-carbon future. The prospect of flow batteries capable of safely storing energy to power entire communities for days or weeks could revolutionize energy infrastructure and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

While the path to commercial deployment remains complex, the foundational science emerging from this research heralds a transformative shift. By leveraging proton hopping mechanisms and structurally engineered electrolytes, researchers have opened new horizons for designing large-scale energy storage that does not compromise on safety or efficiency. With continued support from the U.S. Department of Energy and a collaborative scientific network, this technology is poised to mature into a vital component of the renewable energy ecosystem.

In summary, the future of energy storage may well depend on innovations that challenge conventional wisdom regarding electrolyte composition and function. These pioneering efforts by Case Western Reserve University exemplify the power of interdisciplinary science to solve pressing global challenges. As the research community refines these structured electrolytes and translates laboratory insights into practical applications, the dream of abundant, safe, and sustainable energy storage draws ever closer to reality.

Subject of Research: Development of novel structured electrolytes for flow batteries enabling enhanced proton conductivity and improved safety in large-scale energy storage.

Article Title: Structured electrolytes facilitate Grotthuss-type transport for enhanced proton-coupled electron transfer reactions

News Publication Date: 2-Jan-2026

Web References:

• Case Western Reserve University Breakthrough Electrolytes for Energy Storage Systems Center
• Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences article

Image Credits:
Credit: Case Western Reserve University

Keywords

Energy storage, Electrochemistry, Electrolytic conductivity