China is testing lithium-ion batteries aboard its Tiangong space station to develop safer, higher-performance space power systems.
China is conducting experiments aboard its Tiangong space station with the goal of developing safer, more powerful space batteries. China ’s second civilian in space, Zhang Hongzhang, is performing the space tests.
Zhang, a professor at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, is focusing on the impact of gravity on lithium-ion batteries, Chinese state media reported this week.Though lithium-ion batteries have been used in space for over two decades, the US and China are racing to assert their dominance in orbit. As such, any new insights into how batteries function in microgravity could provide an edge over the competition.Investigating lithium-ion batteries in spaceZhang Hongzhang was one of three astronauts lifted to the Tiangong space station for the Shenzhou-21 mission, launched on October 31, 2025. Zhang is the second civilian astronaut China has sent to space after Gui Haichao in 2023.Zhang is a specialist in advanced battery technologies. His research aboard the Tiangong station focuses on lithium-ion batteries, which are key to the future of space exploration due to their high energy density and reliability.According to a South China Morning Post report, Zhang applied to be an astronaut in 2018 after seeing a recruitment notice. This was the first notice aimed at flight engineers, specialist scientists, and military pilots.“Every experiment conducted on the space station embodies the hard work of the ground researchers,” Zhang said, according to the SCMP report. “Being able to carry out their experiments in space is not only a privilege but also a responsibility.”Leveraging a unique microgravity environmentAs with scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station , Zhang is taking advantage of the microgravity conditions aboard Tiangong to investigate properties that would not be possible on Earth.Batteries on the ground are impacted by a combination of gravitational fields intertwined with electric fields. As such, it is challenging to study the impact of gravity on batteries in isolation.Aboard the station, the astronaut’s main responsibility is to conduct his experiments and communicate with scientists on the ground to maximize results. The microgravity conditions aboard Tiangong enable a detailed investigation of key processes, including ion movement between two electrodes during battery charging.During his experiments, Zhang will also observe how chemical substances in the electrolyte are distributed and the impact of their distribution in microgravity conditions. The behavior of these liquids changes significantly under different space conditions. This could ultimately impact battery performance and cause safety hazards.He will also aim to capture images of the growth process of lithium dendrite. This is a small, needle-like structure that forms on lithium electrodes. It can also pose safety concerns and impact battery lifespans.According to a CGTN report, the new investigation will help improve existing battery systems in Earth’s orbit. Beyond that, it could lead to the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries for space, providing a safer, higher-energy-density form factor.
Batteries China Lithium Ion Batteries Microgravity Tiangong Space Station
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