How to explain a redox flow battery in a simply way? - European Researchers’ Night 2024 at IMDEA

On the occasion of the European Researchers' Night on 27 September 2024, IMDEA Energy organized an activity open to the public to bring science closer to children aged 5-10. The theme of the activity was 'Energy Guardians' and it aimed to show young children basic concepts about energy production and storage. The workshops were adapted to their age in a fun way with the final goal to make them familiar with abstract concepts such as energy storage in batteries.

In one of the experiments aimed at simplifying the explanation of how a redox flow battery operates within the MeBattery project, IMDEA researchers showcased a fundamental redox reaction using three easily accessible laboratory reagents: potassium iodate, sodium hydrogen sulfate, and starch. In this reaction, potassium iodate was reduced by sodium hydrogen sulfate, with starch acting as an indicator. As the reaction progressed, the solution underwent a dramatic visual change, turning the water black, and making the redox process visible to the naked eye.

This change served as a powerful illustration of the chemical processes that drive redox flow batteries. While the actual mechanisms in a flow battery are more complex, this simplified reaction mimics the core principles involved—electron transfer and oxidation-reduction cycles.

This easy experiment also emphasised the importance of redox reactions in energy storage technologies like redox flow batteries. By showing how substances can change states through oxidation and reduction, it mirrors the way real batteries store and release energy.

Almost 200 children between the ages of 5 to 10 took part in the event together with their families.