Beyond the Lab: Scaling the Flow Battery for a Zero-Carbon Future
Title
Beyond the Lab: Scaling the Flow Battery for a Zero-Carbon Future
Creator
Bai, Yuran
Long, Xin
Fu, Enkang
Huo, Xiaoyu
Gong, Xusong
Advisor
An, Liang
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Description
To build a zero-carbon future, sustainable technology must thrive beyond the lab. Our project combined solar panels with advanced vanadium redox flow battery technology to achieve stable, long-term energy storage for campus facilities. The scaling process forced us out of our academic comfort zones to confront real-world industrial defects, like fluid leakage and variable solar grid communication. Through relentless trial-and-error and hardware optimization, we turned an unstable energy source into a practical solution, earning First Prize at the Zero Carbon Future Innovation Competition. This "learning-by-doing" journey permanently shifted our research philosophy: we no longer just ask if a concept works in theory, but whether it can survive in the real world.
Learning outcome/goal
Resourcefulness and Adaptability to New Contexts
Continuous Improvement and Learning from Mistakes
Project Management and Teamwork
Reflection and Self-awareness
Communication and Presentation Skills
Award
First Prize, 5th Zero Carbon Future Innovation Competition [International competition]
Date
2026-08
Programme
PhD
Degree Level
PhD
Keywords
Transport Phenomena;
Mechanical Design;
Smart Micro-Grid Integration;
Fluid Dynamics;
System Modeling
