Scientists built a battery made from water and tofu brine that lasts 40 times longer than lithium and cannot catch fire

Published on Mar 29, 2026 at 9:16 AM (UTC-4)
by Daisy Edwards

Last updated on Apr 02, 2026 at 12:18 PM (UTC-4)
Edited by Emma Matthews

Scientists built a battery made from water and tofu brine that lasts 40 times longer than lithium and cannot catch fire
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In a sentence that sounds completely made up, scientists have used water and tofu brine to create a battery that lasts 40 times longer than your everyday lithium, but here’s the best part: it cannot catch fire.

Yes, it is very real, and it could end up being one of the biggest upgrades to how we store energy.

Instead of relying on the same kind of materials found in your phone battery, this one uses a liquid solution inspired by something you would normally find in your fridge.

And the results are kind of wild, with a lifespan that makes today’s batteries look like they are running on borrowed time.

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Can you believe that a battery made from water and tofu brine exists?

The big tech idea here is surprisingly simple: scientists replaced the risky, flammable liquid inside traditional batteries with a water-based mix that is much safer and way more stable.

Even better, this thing just keeps going.

In testing, it powered through around 120,000 charge cycles, which is miles ahead of the few thousand cycles most lithium batteries manage before they start to fade.

That means fewer replacements, less waste, and devices or systems that actually last as long as we wish they would. It is the kind of upgrade that could quietly change everything without looking flashy on the surface.

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Why it lasts 40 times longer than lithium and cannot catch fire

One of the biggest downsides of current batteries is that they can overheat and, in rare cases, catch fire due to the chemicals inside them.

This new design sidesteps that problem completely, and since it is water-based, it simply does not have the same fire risk, which makes it a huge win for safety.

The catch is that it is not quite ready to power your phone or electric car just yet.

Right now, it is better suited to big energy jobs like storing power from solar panels or wind farms.

Still, the idea of a battery made from something as harmless as tofu brine lasting decades instead of a few years is pretty incredible, and it feels like a glimpse of where energy tech could be heading next.

Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.