LUMAMI, NAGALAND : Nagaland University Researchers have developed a novel eco-friendly gelatin-based hydrogel membrane electrolyte that offers a safe, flexible, and biodegradable alternative to conventional electrolytes used in supercapacitors.
Supercapacitors are fast-charging, high-output energy storage devices used in everything from electric vehicles to emergency medical equipment.
This research could pave the way for cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. It holds the potential to have a great impact on sustainable energy storage, particularly in devices such as electric vehicles, medical wearables, and portable electronics.
Traditional energy storage systems often use liquid electrolytes that can leak, corrode components, and cause environmental damage. To address these challenges, the Nagaland University research team created a ‘KI-doped glyoxal-crosslinked gelatin hydrogel membrane electrolyte’ (GNHME). This innovative material combines gelatin, a naturally biodegradable protein, with glyoxal, a crosslinking agent that enhances mechanical flexibility, and potassium iodide (KI), a redox-active dopant that boosts ionic conductivity and capacitance.
The result is a semi-transparent, flexible hydrogel that safely conducts ions and maintains stability over thousands of charge-discharge cycles, making it ideal for next-generation solid-state supercapacitors.
The findings of this Research Team were published in Materials Today Chemistry, a reputed peer-reviewed international Q1 category journal with an Impact Factor of 6.7. (paper link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2024.102470). An Indian patent for this technology has been granted to Nagaland University (Patent No.: 570983; Date of grant: 22/09/2025).
The paper was co-authored by Mr. Duangailung Kamei, Lead researcher, Mr. Dipankar Hazarika, co-researcher and Dr. Nurul Alam Choudhury, Supervisor and Principal Investigator, Nagaland University. The research was funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
Lauding the researchers, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, “Nagaland University is proud of this remarkable achievement by our researchers in developing a biodegradable gelatin-based electrolyte for safer and high-performance supercapacitors. This innovation reflects our commitment to advancing sustainable technologies and contributing to a greener future. I congratulate the research team for their dedication and pioneering work, which enhances the university’s role in promoting scientific excellence and environmental responsibility.”
Elaborating on this research, Dr. Nurul Alam Choudhury, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Nagaland University, said, “The development of biodegradable, redox-active solid electrolytes marks an important step toward realising eco-friendly, high-performance energy storage systems compatible with renewable energy integration. This technology could play a key role in electric mobility and green energy applications, aligning with India’s sustainable development goals.”
Unlike conventional liquid electrolytes, this quasi-solid hydrogel is biodegradable, leak-proof, and exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance. The gelatin/glyoxal covalent hydrogel is a superabsorbent that absorbs water to the extent of 717 %. The incorporation of KI significantly improves the energy and power densities of supercapacitors, while the use of glyoxal provides excellent flexibility and resilience compared to other crosslinking agents.
Prototype supercapacitors built using this membrane have already demonstrated their practical utility by powering LED lamps for extended durations, marking a significant milestone toward real-world applications.
Further, Lead researcher Mr. Duangailung Kamei, Research Scholar, Nagaland University, said, “Currently, our team is working to optimise dopant composition to further enhance energy density and extend the lifespan of the devices. The next phase involves scaling up the fabrication of these hydrogel membranes and integrating them with commercial-grade electrodes to assess performance in real-world energy storage systems.”
Co-researcher Mr. Dipankar Hazarika, Research Scholar, Nagaland University, said, “This work underscores India’s growing contribution to global clean energy research. By offering an environmentally benign, cost-effective, and high-performance alternative to traditional electrolytes, the KI-doped gelatin hydrogel technology holds immense promise for future-ready supercapacitors that can drive cleaner, safer, and more sustainable energy solutions for generations to come.”
This breakthrough could result in the development of future supercapacitors that are built with safer, more environmentally friendly materials. Because the membrane is made from gelatin, a natural protein, and uses no toxic liquid electrolyte, there is far less risk of leakage, overheating, or chemical pollution.
This aspect makes it ideal for safety-sensitive settings such as wearable health monitors, implantable devices, or remote renewable‐energy installations where reliability and low-hazard materials are vital.
In practical use, the technology could help reduce the overall cost and environmental footprint of energy storage. By replacing costly synthetic and potentially hazardous components with a biodegradable, low-cost hydrogel membrane, manufacturers could make energy devices that are cheaper to produce and easier to dispose of responsibly.
