Sustainable Energy Storage: Developing Eco-Friendly Electrodes from Biomass Waste
- UM Research
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
"In every challenge lies an opportunity for innovation."'
This statement fuels Prof. Dr. Zurina's pioneering work in sustainable energy storage. With a distinguished academic journey rooted in Universiti Malaya's Faculty of Science, Prof. Dr. Zurina has consistently advanced energy materials research. Her current focus is on developing eco-friendly electrodes using biomass waste, a field that aligns with global aspirations for sustainable development and resource efficiency.
"Necessity is often the mother of invention," Prof. Dr. Zurina reflects.
This study was inspired by witnessing two interconnected challenges: Malaysia's abundance of agricultural biomass waste and the growing need for sustainable energy storage solutions. With industries like palm oil, coconut production, and tropical agriculture generating substantial biomass waste, Prof. Dr Zurina saw an opportunity to transform these by-products into valuable materials.
Her personal and professional commitment to addressing environmental degradation and promoting renewable energy systems drove her to explore how these waste materials could contribute to a cleaner energy future. This vision aligns closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
"I wanted to find a way to bridge the gap between waste management and sustainable energy solutions," she explains. Her research embodies the philosophy that every resource can be repurposed for meaningful impact, whether small or insignificant.
At its core, sustainable energy storage refers to creating efficient and environmentally friendly systems. These systems aim to store energy from renewable sources like solar panels and wind turbines, ensuring its availability during non-productive hours. However, conventional energy storage materials rely on non-renewable, harmful materials such as heavy metals and synthetic chemicals. Prof. Dr Zurina's research aims to address this by using renewable biomass-derived electrodes with a significantly lower environmental footprint.
Malaysia's rich agricultural landscape produces vast waste, such as palm kernel shells, coconut husks, and fruit peels. Often discarded or burned, these materials are rich in cellulose and lignin, making them ideal for producing activated carbon. Prof. Dr. Zurina's study involves converting these wastes into high-performance carbon materials through processes like carbonisation and activation.
"What excites me is the potential of these natural materials to meet modern energy demands while reducing our environmental footprint," she shares. Her research focuses on optimising these processes to create electrodes with high conductivity, enhanced porosity, and excellent electrochemical performance.
The innovative product—complex carbon electrodes derived from coconut shells and palm oil waste (empty fruit bunches, or EFB)—is still in research and development. These sustainable materials have been successfully synthesised and tested in lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors, demonstrating promising performance. However, commercialisation requires further optimisation to enhance properties such as energy density, stability, and efficiency to meet industrial standards.
Despite being in its early stages, Prof. Dr. Zurina's research has already garnered significant recognition. Her team earned the Gold Award at ITEX 2023 and the Silver Award at MTE 2024 for related work on sodium batteries. Additionally, the project boasts collaborations with prominent industry players like Info Matic Power Sdn. Bhd. (IMP), Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Dyson Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd., and others. Academic partnerships span both local and international institutions, including the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Universitas Negeri Malang (Indonesia), and Sharda University (India). These collaborations amplify the research's impact, ensuring access to diverse expertise and resources.
Looking ahead, Prof. Dr Zurina and her team have outlined the following goals:
Grant Application and Collaboration
Secure funding through the SRF Malaysia-China research grant under MOSTI.
Collaborate with Prof. Jilei Liu from Hunan University to exchange methodologies.
Advanced Material Development
Optimise complex carbon preparation to enhance porosity, conductivity, and surface area.
Investigate performance in sodium and potassium batteries under varying conditions.
Scaling and Sustainability
Develop scalable production techniques for complex carbon electrodes.
Conduct lifecycle analyses to evaluate environmental impact.
Advanced Testing and Prototyping
Design and test sodium and potassium battery prototypes.
Benchmark performance against state-of-the-art electrodes.
Expanding Collaboration
Partner with industries to transition from laboratory-scale success to commercialisation.
Publication and Outreach
Publish findings in high-impact journals and present at international conferences.
Host workshops to engage stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors.
Like any groundbreaking research, this study is not without its challenges. Biomass composition varies depending on environmental factors, which can affect the consistency of the final product. Scaling up lab experiments to industrial applications is another hurdle. Yet, Prof. Dr. Zurina approaches these challenges with optimism and resilience. "Research is a journey of perseverance," she notes. "Each setback is an opportunity to learn and refine our methods."
By integrating waste management with renewable energy systems, Prof. Dr Zurina's research supports Malaysia's transition to a circular economy, where waste is minimised and resources are maximized. Her work mitigates climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and harmful synthetic materials.
Prof. Dr. Zurina envisions a future where sustainable energy storage becomes the norm. She believes her research lays the foundation for the broader adoption of biomass-derived materials, encouraging other researchers and industries to follow suit. "We hope this study inspires a shift in how we perceive and utilise natural resources," she says. "Every step towards sustainability brings us closer to a future where energy is clean, accessible, and environmentally responsible." Prof. Dr. Zurina's groundbreaking work in sustainable energy storage exemplifies how science and innovation can address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of combining curiosity, dedication, and a commitment to sustainability.
"The true measure of progress lies in how we care for our planet and its people. Through science, we hold the key to a future where innovation meets responsibility." – Prof. Dr. Zurina. This quote encapsulates the essence of her research and her enduring commitment to sustainability and global well-being, inspiring others to take meaningful steps toward a cleaner and brighter future.
The picture was taken with Prof Dr Zurina during an interview to garner her input about the research.
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Researcher featured:
Professor Dr Zurina Binti Osman
Department of Physics
Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya
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Author:
Puungkodi Paramasivam
Puungkodi Paramasivam is a fast-track PhD candidate at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, who finds solace and purpose in writing amidst the challenges of academic research. This is one of her many contributions to the UM Research Bulletin, a platform she values for showcasing groundbreaking work while allowing her to channel her creativity. Writing, she says, serves as a positive distraction from the demands of her PhD journey, enabling her to engage meaningfully with diverse fields of study. Proud to be an author under the UM Research Bulletin, Puungkodi continues to highlight innovative research and inspire others with her thoughtful narratives.
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Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
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