And recyclable in very tasty ways:
Posted on 05/06/2024 11:51:18 AM PDT by Red Badger
Two years ago, sodium-ion battery pioneer Natron Energy was busy preparing its specially formulated sodium batteries for mass production. The company slipped a little past its 2023 kickoff plans, but it didn't fall too far behind as far as mass battery production goes. It officially commenced production of its rapid-charging, long-life lithium-free sodium batteries this week, bringing to market an intriguing new alternative in the energy storage game.
Not only is sodium somewhere between 500 to 1,000 times more abundant than lithium on the planet we call Earth, sourcing it doesn't necessitate the same type of earth-scarring extraction. Even moving beyond the sodium vs lithium surname comparison, Natron says its sodium-ion batteries are made entirely from abundantly available commodity materials that also include aluminum, iron and manganese.
Furthermore, the materials for Natron's sodium-ion chemistry can be procured through a reliable US-based domestic supply chain free from geopolitical disruption. The same cannot be said for common lithium-ion materials like cobalt and nickel.
Sodium-ion tech has received heightened interest in recent years as a more reliable, potentially cheaper energy storage medium. While its energy density lags behind lithium-ion, advantages such as faster cycling, longer lifespan and safer, non-flammable end use have made sodium-ion an attractive alternative, especially for stationary uses like data center and EV charger backup storage.
Founded in 2013, Natron has been one of the pioneers in this new wave of sodium-ion research and innovation. And while most sodium-ion designs remain in the laboratory, Natron has switched on one of the first major production operations globally. It celebrated the official production kick-off earlier this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Holland, Michigan manufacturing facility, calling it the first-ever commercial-scale production of sodium-ion batteries in the US.
(Excerpt) Read more at newatlas.com ...
I searched the source article for the term “fire resistant” and came up bupkis. Nor did the term ‘aqueous’ turn up.
So, either the author is a lazy dolt, or the batteries cited in the article are NOT ‘fire resistant’ nor ‘aqueous’. Technically, sodium-ion batteries could be more hazardous than lithium (that’s science, folks). They only cite “safer, nonflammable end use” with no validation of the claim whatsoever.
and re aqueous sodium-ion batteries (from January 2024)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-44855-6
Since the both the source and the manufacturers Natron fail to cite any science whatsoever in their ‘news’ releases to validate the level of development of their battery...
...color me hugely skeptical.
Right now it’s target is electrical grid back-up..............
And recyclable in very tasty ways:
In terms of EVs vs. ICE, ICE cars tend to NOT ignire sitting around being shipped somewhere. Lithium-Ion rarely does, but when it does, it is a HUMDINGER.
Damaged battery packs often spontaneously ignite.
First thing that went through my mind.
Not sure what the chemistry is with the sodium but pure sodium is VERY adventurous when it comes in contact with water.
Ah, the joys of high-school chemistry class.
Elemental sodium flushed down the toilet.
Try it with NACL...very boring.
NACL and Dihydrogen Monoxide.... a deadly combination.
Sodium, in elemental form, reacts violently with water. So violently, as a matter of fact, that humidity (water in the air) may cause a reaction. It must be stored so that it can’t make contact. Elemental sodium is often stored in a vat/can of something like kerosene, so it can’t make contact with the air. At least that’s how it was stored by my Chemistry teacher in the stone age...
I’m sure, however, that the batteries will use a sodium compound, and not elemental sodium. It is very stable that way. (Table salt, for instance - Sodium Chloride “NaCl”)
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