Radiation-tolerant composites batteries in high energy physics facilities: paving the pathway for india-based neutrino observatory: a state-of-the-art perspective

Abstract High-energy physics facilities, including underground neutrino observatories, demand highly reliable, long-lasting energy storage systems capable of operating for decades in constrained and specialised environments with minimal maintenance. Conventional batteries used in uninterruptible power supplies are not optimised for the required multi-year stability or compatibility with the ultra-clean conditions essential for precision experiments. This perspective explores the development of radiation-tolerant composite batteries as a promising solution for such demanding applications, with particular emphasis on the proposed India-based Neutrino Observatory. Radiation exposure in these facilities triggers multiple degradation mechanisms in standard lithium-ion batteries, including electrolyte decomposition, gas generation, electrode structural damage, and latent performance loss. Composite architectures address these challenges by incorporating radiation-resistant polymer matrices reinforced with ceramic nanofillers or graphene, nanocomposite solid electrolytes containing radical scavengers, and hybrid electrodes enhanced with perovskite quantum dots or metal oxides. These materials improve electrochemical stability, thermal management, and mechanical robustness, and minimise outgassing, which is critical for gas-based detectors. By enabling decentralised micro-battery nodes and reducing reliance on extensive cabling, radiation-tolerant composites can enhance reliability and modularity while preserving the pristine low-background environment required for neutrino detection. The India-based Neutrino Observatory, with its deep underground cavern and ultra-low radiation levels, offers an ideal testbed for demonstrating this technology, potentially pioneering sustainable power solutions for future underground neutrino experiments worldwide. This paper also provides a perspective on the types of batteries that could be used in the India-based Neutrino Observatory for its future endeavours in India.