Iowa State University researchers work to build new batteries for energy storage

By: Brooklyn Draisey

Outlets: Iowa Capital Dispatch

Published: February 6, 2026

Words: 1,049

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

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As new technologies consume more power and alternative energy sources become increasingly necessary to fuel Iowans’ lives, Iowa State University researchers are working to create new batteries from accessible materials to store power from variable sources.

Steve Martin and Patrick Johnson, both materials science and engineering professors at ISU, have earned a nearly $459,000 grant from the Iowa Energy Center to develop batteries using sodium, waste glass, biochar and sulfur — materials they’ve already tested …

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