In Short : Indian scientists have developed a lanthanum-doped silver niobate material that significantly boosts energy storage efficiency, doubling retention and enabling stable charge-discharge cycles. Demonstrated in a prototype supercapacitor powering an LCD, the innovation offers a lead-free, sustainable alternative for next-gen storage. This breakthrough could enhance electric mobility, portable electronics, and grid applications, positioning India at the forefront of clean energy tech.
In Detail : Indian researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in energy storage by developing a lanthanum-doped silver niobate material. Scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, and Aligarh Muslim University collaborated on the innovation, which significantly enhances the performance of supercapacitors. The use of rare-earth element lanthanum improves both conductivity and surface area.
This advancement results in more than a 100% increase in energy retention capacity, with outstanding charge–discharge efficiency. The newly engineered material demonstrated energy retention of up to 118%, marking a significant leap from existing supercapacitor technologies. These improvements could help address current limitations in rapid energy delivery and cycle stability.
In real-world testing, a prototype asymmetric supercapacitor built using the lanthanum-doped material successfully powered an LCD display. This application shows the potential of the material in practical devices that require fast and reliable energy bursts. The performance consistency during repeated charging cycles further supports its commercial viability.
One of the notable features of this new material is its environmental friendliness. Unlike traditional storage materials that may contain hazardous elements, the silver niobate used here is lead-free. Lanthanum doping also refines the particle size, which enhances material uniformity and stability—key factors in sustainable and scalable energy solutions.
The research has been published in the *Journal of Alloys and Compounds* and is considered a stepping stone toward rare-earth-doped perovskites that could surpass lithium-ion systems. These materials are particularly promising for future energy storage systems where speed, stability, and safety are critical. The innovation opens new pathways for next-generation storage solutions.
Moving forward, the focus will be on scaling production and optimizing cost-efficiency. If these challenges are successfully addressed, India could emerge as a leader in supercapacitor manufacturing and advanced energy storage research. This breakthrough not only strengthens India’s innovation credentials but also supports its clean energy transition.
