SuperDielectrics Unveils “Faraday 3” Aqueous Zinc Battery, Offering 13x Longer Cycle Life and Zero Thermal Runaway for Data Centers

July 19, 2026

TechRadar UK

Overview

SuperDielectrics has announced its “Faraday 3” aqueous zinc battery, which holds the potential to transform entire data centers into energy storage units. Tests by QinetiQ revealed exceptional performance, including up to 13 times longer high-power cycle life compared to lithium-ion batteries, 100C discharge in 36 seconds, and complete absence of thermal runaway. With its first commercial deployment anticipated in early 2027, this innovative battery is garnering significant interest as a solution to the surging power demands of AI data centers.

In Depth

Key Findings

SuperDielectrics has developed a groundbreaking aqueous zinc battery, dubbed “Faraday 3,” whose high performance and safety have been independently validated through tests conducted by QinetiQ. This battery has the potential to enable entire data centers and other large-scale facilities to function as integrated energy storage systems. Particularly noteworthy are its high-power cycle life, which is up to 13 times longer than conventional lithium-ion batteries, its ability to discharge at an extremely high rate of 100C in just 36 seconds, and the complete elimination of thermal runaway risk.

Technical & Product Details

Product Name: Faraday 3
Battery Type: Aqueous Zinc Battery
Testing Authority: QinetiQ
Key Performance Metrics:
- High-power cycle life: Up to 13 times longer than lithium-ion batteries
- Discharge capability: Achieves 100C discharge in 36 seconds (indicates extremely high power delivery)
- Safety: Zero thermal runaway risk
- Modality: Utilizes an aqueous electrolyte

By employing an aqueous electrolyte, the Faraday 3 eliminates flammable organic solvents, thereby ensuring intrinsic safety. This characteristic is exceptionally advantageous for data centers, where stringent safety standards are paramount, and for large-scale energy storage systems critical for grid stabilization. Furthermore, zinc is more abundant and less expensive to procure than lithium, contributing to supply chain stability.

Background & Industry Context

In today’s digital economy, data centers are major drivers of power consumption, and the surge in AI workloads, in particular, presents new challenges for power infrastructure. These facilities require stable power supply, emergency backup, and continuous improvement in sustainability. While conventional lithium-ion batteries offer superior performance in many aspects, concerns regarding cost, resource limitations, and especially safety—due to thermal runaway risks—have been raised. SuperDielectrics’ Faraday 3 provides an innovative solution to these challenges, enabling sustainable and safe operation of data centers.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The first commercial deployment of SuperDielectrics’ Faraday 3 aqueous zinc battery is slated for early 2027, potentially bringing a transformative shift to the data center industry. Its inherent safety, free from thermal runaway risks, and exceptional cycle life are critical factors for meeting the needs of AI and other high-load computing applications. If widely adopted, this technology could significantly contribute to reducing data center operating costs, enhancing reliability, and lowering environmental impact, with long-term potential to stabilize the broader electricity grid. The evolution of aqueous battery technology is set to open new frontiers in energy storage.

Source: https://www.techradar.com/pro/we-have-not-ruled-this-out-the-water-based-battery-that-could-turn-whole-data-centers-into-energy-storage

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