Shelling Out?

'Green' energy solutions, depend on batteries. Current Lithium ion batteries, however, can take many years to break down. The chemicals they contain, are also corrosive and flammable. Faulty batteries in electronic devices have caused fires on aircraft flights et cetera. Scientists in the University of Maryland's 'Center for Materials Innovation' are advocating using chitin to make more sustainable batteries (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/sep/01/crab-lobster-shells-could-used-make-renewable-batteries). Chitin is a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide making up most of the exoskeletons ('shells') of crabs; lobsters; prawns and insects. When we eat them, we generally throw the shells away. Chitin is also found in some fungi. Folk in the 'Center for Materials Innovation' have found, if acetic acid (vinegar) is added to chitin, it creates chitosan. Chitosan (not to be confused with Chitosan, the weight-loss preparation) is a firm gel membrane, that can be used as an electrolyte in batteries. Batteries, made with chitison and zinc, can be quickly charged and discharged. They also have a long life, making them suitable for many applications. This new type of battery, however, can be recycled much more easily than its Lithium ion counterpart. Chitosan breaks down in the soil, within about 5 months. Seems like an interesting development?