Shi-Zhou Tan

Our transition towards low carbon technologies, especially in the energy sector, is a difficult one. Our heavy dependence on high-carbon energy generation like fossil fuels, coupled with the intermittent supply of renewable energy, dramatically limits the potential adoption of clean energy. One key limitation of the renewable energy sector is the lack of a dependable electricity storage system such as sustainable batteries. Resource circularity in the renewable energy sector Rechargeable batteries are key to a sustainable future. The renewable energy sector is heavily reliant on battery storage systems to store excess electricity generated during peak periods. Technological advancements in consumer electronics have also created an array of products that rely on modular rechargeable batteries. Think smart watches, laptops, smart phones, and power banks. However, the rechargeable battery sector heavily relies on lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have been the go-to solution for the past few decades, boasting several advantages such as high energy density and low maintenance requirement. However, it also has its fair share of constraints that have severely limited the innovation and growth of the electronics and technology sector. Namely, the issue on safety due to the potential fire risks, the transportation of the batteries due to their mass, as well as the difficulty in recycling lithium-ion batteries to be reused in the manufacturing of new batteries, which prevents the sector from achieving circularity of resources. Paper batteries This is where Flint comes into the picture. As a youth-led startup, we aspire to revolutionize the battery storage industry with the use of paper-based batteries. These paper batteries are wholly compostable at the end of their lifespans when buried. They comprise three core materials: zinc, manganese, and hydrogel-reinforced cellulose papers. At the end of the battery’s lifespan, the zinc will naturally be oxidised into a non-toxic, stable hydroxide. The manganese will remain in its oxide or hydroxide forms, which are also found in naturally occurring minerals. The cellulose paper will be decomposed by bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in a matter of weeks. Beyond the ease of recycling the batteries, Flint’s paper batteries also boast multiple properties that are novel, with the potential to disrupt the consumer electronics sector. Utilizing the same infrastructure to produce conventional lithium-ion batteries, the production of our paper batteries can be as low as half the conventional production cost of lithium-ion batteries. Since existing infrastructure and facilities can also be adopted and finetuned to cater to manufacturing demands, there’s only minimal disruption to operations. Given that this battery is potentially half the cost of the ones used in the existing market, the technology can effectively change how accessible electricity can be, especially in rural communities where access to electricity is limited by cost. Paper batteries also effectively mitigate any potential safety concerns attributed to the use of solid electrolytes, which makes it leak-proof. The flexibility and lightweight properties of our paper batteries also open limitless potentials in the fields of wearable electronics, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles. Paper batteries can also be created in any shape and size, maintain its usability when cut, and dissipate heat quickly due to the large surface area. With adaptive design as the key attribute, the potential is only limited by imagination. Cross-functional collaboration The team at Flint is working towards the commercialization of our paper battery technologies. With the goal of integrating paper batteries into our own line of consumer electronics, we aim to create the world’s first product that utilizes paper batteries as the energy storage system. At our core, we believe that creating a sustainable future is one of the greatest challenges we face today. We are a youth-led collective of one heart and many hands –scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, designers, environmentalist, lawyers –joining forces to accomplish together what we cannot accomplish alone. Our small yet dedicated team is committed to making this vision a reality – and we invite you to join us on this phenomenal journey to change the world.

The voices of youths are often seen as idealistic. But it is these voices that ignite shifts in mindsets and inspire change. Youths are often concerned that their actions amount to nothing, and this mentality has limited their potential to enact changes in their communities. In Singapore, the proven success formula of graduating with a degree, finding a well-paying job, getting married and starting a family has also caused many to be disinterested.There are also youths who are sitting on the fence, not knowing how and where to start their involvement in the sustainability space. This is made even more difficult especially in Singapore, where the sustainability community is close-knit, on top of a minority of youths actively expressing resistance and cynicism. With the high barrier of entry into sustainability and the perceived “exclusivity” of the local community, the green space might be seen as unwelcoming to new entrants, which is concerning, especially when the climate crisis is an existential one that affects everyone. Addressing concerns and fearsTo get more people onboard as a collective whole to fight climate change, it is essential to appeal to people who have their respective concerns and those who are keen to act but are afraid to do so, whether it is due to resource constraints, the absence of a supportive community, or just a lack of confidence to lead an entirely new initiative.As the next generation of Singaporeans enter the workforce, young people must rethink and redefine their role in Singapore and the broader global community.A few exemplary names come to mind when we speak of global and regional youth climate leaders: Swedish youth activist Greta Thunberg, founder of the Fridays for Future movement; Boyan Slat, a Dutch youth inventor who founded The Ocean Cleanup. Regionally, we have Marinel Ubaldo, a climate activist I worked with briefly, who organised the first climate strike in the Philippines. These youths have something in common – the desire to serve the community, influence others and catalyse change. Providing platforms for youths’ potentialReinforcing youth’s voices, actions and ambitions is pivotal in redefining the role that youths will play in creating a sustainable and equitable future.Since the start of my sustainability leadership journey in 2016 as club president of my polytechnic’s environmental club, Temasek Polytechnic Green Interest Group, I have seen increased involvement of youths in sustainability. The acceleration of youth-led initiatives in sustainability communications, climate technologies, biodiversity impact analysis and divestment movements is a welcome change as compared to the earlier years of my involvement which were mainly on practising the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – and conserving resources which took the forefront of sustainability.Temasek Polytechnic's Applied Science Recycling Drive & Community Clean-up 2018In my capacity as the president of Earthlink NTU back in 2020/21 and 2021/22, I recognised the importance of engaging new entrants to sustainability while, at the same time, the need to provide a suitable platform for seasoned sustainability advocates to express their concerns and lead their projects. The need to balance nurturing a safe space for new youth leaders to explore their passion and providing a platform for experienced youth leaders to voice their demands for sustainability have led to major changes in Earthlink NTU’s structure, giving rise to the sandbox for sustainability initiatives on campus that is still standing today.During my two-year term, we saw the establishment of initiatives on plant-based advocacy, food sustainability, human-wildlife coexistence, and sustainable finance, all of which were led by fellow youths keen on sustainability but who did not know how and where to start their passion projects. This strongly aligns with Earthlink’s tagline of “If I change, the world changes.” Many of these youths eventually moved on to the workforce, taking up roles in biodiversity education, sustainable lifestyle nudging, and environmental policy.The opening of Green for Good 2021, Earthlink's flagship event The role of private and public sectorsYouths can’t embark on their sustainability journeys alone. In the bid against climate change, we can’t ignore the roles of other major stakeholders, including the private and public sectors.Discussion on reconnecting with nature at Temasek's annual sustainability event, Ecosperity Week 2021I co-founded the Inter-University Environmental Coalition (IUEC) Singapore in 2021, a collective of about 20 environmental sustainability student-led groups from all eight of Singapore’s major universities. Beyond encouraging youths to engage in open dialogues on sustainability regardless of experience, the IUEC aims to create a network of youth-led organisations to have conversations on sustainability. This will eventually go beyond just conversations and into tangible actions. The initiative serves as the final act of lowering the barrier of entry into sustainability by providing opportunities for youths and students to act upon, regardless of their experience.With our future goals involving the 3Ps – the people, private and public sectors – we aim to catalyse sustainability not just as a potential career or a concern for the future but as a lifestyle for the present: a platform for youths to speak directly to the government, and the corporates, to voice their concerns, understand their agenda, and inspire change in management. This is crucial in activating the masses and creating a ripple effect to ensure that sustainability takes centre stage in all decisions youths will eventually make.As the next generation begins to step up and take charge of safeguarding our world, it is vital that they are empowered to speak up and act upon their ambitions now.

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Shi-Zhou Tan

Paper batteries, the future of energy storage technologies

Enabling youth leadership to drive ambition and create impact in sustainability