this post was submitted on 11 Jan 2026
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Hardware

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[–] infeeeee@lemmy.zip 26 points 2 days ago

It was hard to find information about what they do actually, but I found some information in this article on their blog:

Instead of using lithium or cobalt, Flint’s battery uses zinc and manganese—two of the most abundant and sustainable metals on Earth. And the core of the battery? It’s made of cellulose paper, which is biodegradable.

So this is a Zn-Mn battery, they just use a cellulose based electrolyte. If you search for "Zinc Manganese" you will find a lot of research papers from the last couple of years.

The conclusion of one of the papers:

The second [challenge] is to increase the areal capacity of cathode materials. Recently reported doped MnxOy cathodes only demonstrated an areal capacity of 0.1–0.2 mAh cm^−2^ due to the relatively low mass loading, which is far below the commercial standard (>2 mAh cm^−2^).

So it's energy density should be an order of magnitude lower than current battery technology.

It doesn't sound as revolutionary, but a step in a good direction.

[–] Mihies@programming.dev 12 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Rarely you read about a revolutionary battery that is not vaporware. With the amount of alkaline batteries in world, I really hope these pick~~s~~ up.

[–] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 12 points 2 days ago (2 children)

This is nuts. Conspicuously absent is price, though. Gonna start at five bucks a cell or something?

[–] infeeeee@lemmy.zip 12 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

What I found the problem won't be the price, but the energy density. These batteries last ~~10 times less than~~ tenth of a current one.

[–] metallic_substance@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Ten times less? Do you mean a tenth?

[–] infeeeee@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 days ago

Yes, I found that in a research paper about Zn-Mn batteries

[–] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

They claimed the density was comparable, though.

[–] infeeeee@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago

Where do they claim that? I only see they claim that the lifespan is comparable, and the price per kWh will be lower. It's a rechargeable battery so lifespan means recharge cycles.

[–] wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

Just over the horizon: monthly subscription 🔋 with drm for when you don't pay

[–] baller_w@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago

Oh thank God. Thank you so much for some uplifting news! With all the worldwide BS going on, it’s unique to see something to feel good about. I feel like I haven’t drank water in a month and you just let me wet my mouth.

[–] bluGill@fedia.io 0 points 2 days ago

Will they not leak? I have lost too many devices because the battery leaked. I don't use my tent light often but I need it to work when I'm in the middle of nowhere