Thomas Edison’s nickel-iron EV battery is recreated with modern nanotech.

Researchers at UCLA reported in Small that they built a nickel-iron battery inspired by Thomas Edison using protein-derived materials and nanoclusters; the prototype recharges in seconds and lasted 12,000 cycles in tests, but it has lower energy capacity than lithium-ion cells.

Thomas Edison explored nickel-iron batteries for early electric vehicles around 1901, but his design was heavy and prone to releasing hydrogen. Engineers at the University of California, Los Angeles have revisited that concept and described a new nickel-iron prototype in the journal Small. The team used protein byproducts inspired by how animals form bones, combined with ultrathin carbon-oxygen sheets and metal nanoclusters. Processing the mix under heat produced an aerogel-like material that embeds nickel and iron clusters and increases surface area for reactions. Key findings: - The UCLA researchers reported creating a nickel-iron battery using protein-derived molecules (from beef production byproducts) and ultrathin carbon-oxygen sheets, with nickel and iron clustered into the molecular folds. - Heating the material removed oxygen and embedded tiny metal clusters in an aerogel-like structure, which maximizes active surface area so more atoms can participate in reactions. - The prototype demonstrated very fast recharge behavior, completing recharging in seconds during initial tests. - The cells sustained about 12,000 charge-discharge cycles in testing, which the researchers equated to more than 30 years of daily recharges. - The battery’s energy capacity remains below that of modern lithium-ion batteries, and the team suggested uses such as storing excess solar electricity or serving as backup power for data centers rather than vehicle propulsion. - By contrast, Edison’s original nickel-iron designs were much heavier per unit of energy and had a tendency to emit hydrogen when charging. Summary: The study revives Edison's nickel-iron idea with a materials and nanotechnology approach that yields rapid charging and long cycle life, while not matching lithium-ion energy density. The researchers note potential applications in grid-scale or backup storage rather than electric vehicles. Undetermined at this time.