Danny Weber
00:46 10-02-2026
© A. Krivonosov
Canadian scientists develop AzoBiPy, an organic molecule for aqueous flow batteries, doubling energy capacity with high stability for seasonal renewable storage.
Canadian scientists have announced the development of an organic molecule that could revolutionize renewable energy storage. The team from the University of Montreal and Concordia University created a compound called AzoBiPy, designed for use in aqueous organic flow batteries—a safer, non-flammable alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
AzoBiPy's key feature is its ability to transfer two electrons simultaneously during reversible reactions. This is unusual for organic electrolytes, which typically handle only one electron at a time. As a result, the new molecule nearly doubles energy capacity, achieving a volumetric capacity of 47.1 Ah/L with high water solubility.
Stability is equally impressive. Over 70 days of testing, including 192 charge-discharge cycles, AzoBiPy retained about 99% of its original capacity, losing just 0.02% per day. For organic storage systems, this is a near-record performance, paving the way for seasonal energy storage—like saving summer solar power for winter heating.
Researchers demonstrated the technology's practical viability with a live prototype: a flow battery using a few spoonfuls of electrolyte powered a string of Christmas lights for eight hours. Unlike commercial vanadium-based solutions, AzoBiPy is made from readily available elements: carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The team is now exploring bio-versions from wood and food waste and has filed patent applications, aiming to deploy the technology within the next decade.