A research team led by the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) has demonstrated a new induction-based mechanism that enables partial self-recharging in batteries, using a symmetric iron-based configuration as a proof of concept. The study, published in Electrochimica Acta, lays the groundwork for future battery systems that integrate wireless recharging capabilities through induced redox reactions.

At the core of the concept is a reversible redox mechanism involving ferricyanide (Fe(CN)₆³⁻/⁴⁻) and iron ions (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺), which can be activated without external wiring of the bipolar electrodes. Instead, the process uses bipolar electrochemistry and conductive electrolyte components to induce charge transfer in a wireless manner.

“This reversible mechanism is unprecedented,” explains Nieves Casañ-Pastor, ICMAB researcher and lead author of the study. “It shows how wireless electrochemistry can be used to develop self-recharging systems. In our experiments, the battery's capacity increased by up to four times, and the power output improved significantly.”

Although the symmetric battery design used in this study is not directly applicable for real-world use, it serves as a functional model to prove the viability of the concept. The team highlights that this principle could be transferred to more complex and practical systems in the future.

Experimental results showed that the setup operates with high efficiency for over 100 cycles, using only iron-based soluble species—a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional lithium-ion technologies. The induced recharging effect occurred spontaneously during discharge, reducing the need for external input and pointing to possible future applications in remote or off-grid environments.

Scheme of the iron-based battery used | Nieves Casañ, ICMAB-CSIC

“The idea that a battery could partially recharge itself opens the door to energy storage devices with a longer operational lifetime and reduced dependence on external power sources,” says Casañ-Pastor. “It could one day power sensors, communication devices, or systems located in isolated areas. And in the future, it may even contribute to reducing the size and weight of mobile batteries.”

This research was led by ICMAB-CSIC in collaboration with the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) and the Faculty of Engineering at the National University of La Plata (UNLP) in Argentina, through the CIDCA research center – the Center for Research and Development in Food Science and Technology.

About ICMAB-CSIC

The Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona is a research center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) dedicated to the study, design, and application of new functional materials. With a strong commitment to sustainability and technology transfer, ICMAB leads pioneering projects in fields such as energy, electronics, and biomedicine.

Reference Article

Spontaneous recharge, and overpotential reduction in symmetric Fe(CN)₆^3-/ Fe(CN)₆^4- batteries, using electrically induced effects and related bipolar electrochemistry
M. Mosqueda, L.N. Bengoa, S. Goñi, N. Casañ-Pastor
Electrochimica Acta, Volume 529, 20 July 2025, 146366
DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2025.146366