Powering a brighter world through energy

Texas A&M University is building a brighter, safer world through energy innovation that starts at the molecular level and scales to the systems that power our communities. From biodegradable batteries made with ingredients found in the human body to ice-based thermal storage that eases strain on the grid and breakthrough metallic gels that unlock safer, high-capacity storage, Aggie researchers are reimagining how energy is created, stored and sustained.

Together, this work advances solutions that matter — strengthening grid resilience, expanding clean power and supporting the infrastructure that sustains food production and economic growth across Texas, the nation and beyond.

Biodegradable batteries

What if your next battery used ingredients similar to those found in the human body? Texas A&M researchers are developing a biodegradable battery made from natural, renewable building blocks — including riboflavin (vitamin B2) and L-glutamic acid, an amino acid used to form proteins. The goal: a battery material that works effectively during use, then breaks down safely at the end of its life, helping reduce long-term waste. Unlike many conventional lithium-ion batteries that depend on metals and petrochemicals, this approach relies on bio-based materials designed with safer disposal in mind.

At the heart of the work is a redox-active material — meaning it can store and release energy by gaining and losing electrons — with riboflavin helping carry the electrical charge and the polymer structure providing stability while also enabling natural degradation over time. By designing performance and end-of-life outcomes together, the researchers are opening the door to safer power sources in applications where materials matter most, from everyday consumer devices to emerging technologies.

Learn more about batteries made from natural materials

Ice batteries

As Texas energy demand grows, flexibility and resilience are essential. Texas A&M researchers are advancing materials for storing and releasing thermal energy. Ice battery systems work by freezing water or other materials at night, when electricity is cheaper and demand is lower. The stored cold is then used to cool buildings during the day, reducing peak energy use. By shifting energy use away from peak hours, these systems lower costs for consumers and ease strain on the power grid without building additional power plants.

Through materials science innovation, researchers are improving the salt hydrates and thermal storage compounds, making these systems more efficient, stable and long-lasting. The goal: optimize performance, prevent degradation and integrate seamlessly with modern HVAC and heat pump systems. As renewable energy sources introduce variability to the grid, technologies like ice batteries create a more balanced, resilient energy ecosystem — one that supports communities, industry and critical infrastructure statewide.

Learn more about ice-cooled buildings

Liquid metal battery

In a discovery that could transform large-scale energy storage, Texas A&M researchers have created the first known metallic gel — a heat-resistant material that traps liquid metal within a solid scaffold. This breakthrough stabilizes liquid metal batteries, enabling them to operate safely even in mobile applications where shifting liquid previously caused short circuits.

Liquid metal batteries already offer high-capacity, long-lasting energy storage for stationary systems. By holding liquid electrodes in place, metallic gel technology opens the door to cleaner power solutions for ships, heavy industry and even high-temperature aerospace applications. The result is safer, more reliable energy storage that supports grid stability and expands the reach of clean energy systems. As Texas and the nation pursue energy independence and sustainability, innovations like this position Texas A&M at the forefront of powering what’s next.

Learn more about liquid metal batteries