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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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Sunflower Seeds Could Soon Power Your Phone—Here’s How

Imagine a world where the coffee grounds you throw away, sunflower seed shells you discard, or leftover compost could one day power your phone, your laptop, or even electric vehicles. This is not science fiction—it’s becoming a reality thanks to pioneering research by the EHU-University of the Basque Country. Scientists there have demonstrated that biomass, the organic waste left over from plants and food, can be transformed into materials for sustainable sodium-ion batteries. This breakthrough could dramatically reduce the environmental footprint of energy storage technologies and pave the way for greener, more circular battery production.

The research, published in the Journal of Power Sources, is led by Dr. Nekane Nieto from the Materials and Solid-State Group at EHU. Dr. Nieto and her team have shown that batteries made from biomass-based materials are not only capable of storing sufficient energy but can also endure up to 1,000 charge and discharge cycles—an impressive achievement that moves sustainable batteries closer to practical use.

Why Sodium-Ion Batteries Matter

Over the last decade, lithium-ion batteries have dominated the energy storage market, powering everything from smartphones to electric cars. However, lithium-ion technology comes with significant challenges. The key materials used in these batteries—lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese—are on the European Union’s list of critical materials. Mining and processing these elements can be environmentally damaging, and their limited availability may create supply risks in the future.

This is where sodium-ion batteries come into play. Sodium is abundant, inexpensive, and widely distributed across the Earth’s crust. By replacing lithium with sodium, battery manufacturers can reduce costs, avoid reliance on scarce minerals, and make energy storage more sustainable. Yet, sodium-ion batteries face technical obstacles: their energy density is lower than lithium-ion batteries, and many cannot survive enough charge-discharge cycles to be viable for long-term use.

Dr. Nieto explains, “Almost all the batteries used in both electric vehicles and smaller devices are lithium-ion batteries. Efforts need to be made to reduce the use of lithium and other critical materials.” Her team’s research aims to tackle this problem by creating sodium-ion batteries using materials derived from biomass, thereby combining sustainability with performance.

How Biomass Can Power Batteries

A battery’s performance depends on three main components: the cathode (positive terminal), the anode (negative terminal), and the electrolyte, which allows electric charges to flow between the terminals. The EHU group focused on developing anodes made from carbon derived from waste biomass collected in the Basque Country. Essentially, they are turning organic waste into high-performance battery materials.

The team experimented with a wide variety of biomass sources, including:

  • Coffee grounds

  • Plant stems and shrubbery from invasive species

  • Grape seeds and skins

  • Maize cobs

  • Compost from biowaste

Among all the materials tested, carbon produced from sunflower seed shells delivered the best results. After optimizing the anode, the researchers paired it with different cathode materials to create rechargeable button-cell batteries. These cathodes contained elements like vanadium, iron, and titanium—materials that are more abundant and less critical than cobalt or nickel, and are used in smaller quantities.

Achieving Sustainable Battery Performance

The researchers conducted a life-cycle analysis to evaluate which anode-cathode combination offered the best energy storage performance with the lowest environmental impact. Their findings were impressive: batteries using sunflower seed shell carbon could store sufficient energy and endure up to 1,000 charge-discharge cycles, while employing cathode chemistries that minimized environmental harm.

Dr. Nieto emphasizes the novelty and importance of this approach: “We have managed to manufacture batteries using biomass materials and components that are not on the list of critical materials. This is a major step toward sustainable energy storage.”

Current Limitations and Future Prospects

Although these biomass-based sodium-ion batteries are promising, they are not yet on par with lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy density and size for large-scale applications. Dr. Nieto notes, “Our batteries are not yet competitive compared with lithium-ion ones but can be used as complementary systems or in small devices.” The team is now working to scale up their technology for larger batteries that could eventually power electric vehicles or store renewable energy from solar and wind installations.

The research highlights a broader point: innovation in battery technology does not always have to follow the existing lithium-ion model. By exploring alternative materials and rethinking battery design, scientists can develop more sustainable solutions while also using waste that would otherwise go unused. Depending on the application, a wide range of biomass—coffee grounds, grape skins, maize cobs, or other organic waste—could be transformed into battery components in the future.

Dr. Nieto concludes, “It is always possible to explore a range of approaches and improve sustainability by using waste that is currently not put to any use. We need to look for alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, and in the future, the industry may be able to use different types of waste to manufacture batteries depending on their intended application.”

Implications for the Energy Industry

The potential impact of biomass-based batteries extends beyond smaller devices. As countries around the world push for greener technologies and electric mobility, sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries will become increasingly important. By converting organic waste into functional battery materials, the EHU team demonstrates a circular economy approach that could reduce landfill waste, lower the environmental costs of mining, and provide a local source of battery materials.

Moreover, this research could help stabilize the battery supply chain by reducing dependence on critical raw materials. With lithium prices fluctuating and geopolitical risks affecting cobalt and nickel supply, sodium-ion batteries derived from biomass could offer a safer, more resilient alternative.

A Path Toward Greener Batteries

The EHU-University of the Basque Country’s study represents a significant step in the quest for sustainable energy storage. By demonstrating that biomass can serve as a high-performing, environmentally friendly anode material, the researchers open new possibilities for low-cost, eco-friendly batteries. While there is still work to be done before these batteries can compete directly with lithium-ion systems in large-scale applications, the progress made so far is encouraging.

In a world increasingly concerned with climate change, resource scarcity, and sustainable technology, the ability to turn everyday organic waste into functional battery components is a game-changer. As research continues, we may soon live in a future where the coffee you drink or the sunflower seeds you snack on are not only nourishing for you but also capable of powering the devices and vehicles that drive modern life.

Dr. Nieto’s work underscores a vital message: innovation does not always require entirely new materials—it can come from seeing the potential in what we already have, even in our waste. With continued research and development, biomass-based sodium-ion batteries could help create a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for everyone.

Reference:
Nekane Nieto et al., Cathode performance in sustainable Na-ion full-cells: Layered oxides versus polyanionic chemistry, Journal of Power Sources (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.239089


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