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Lithium-free sodium batteries exit the lab and enter US production
New Atlas ^ | May 6, 2024 | C.C. Weiss

Posted on 05/06/2024 11:51:18 AM PDT by Red Badger

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To: G Larry

from UT Austin Engineering Dept

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDgdcgm0jw8&t=123s


21 posted on 05/06/2024 12:38:32 PM PDT by ASOC (This space for rent)
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To: zeestephen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seSg_GWj1b0


22 posted on 05/06/2024 12:44:53 PM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: Red Badger

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.

See https://news.utexas.edu/2024/02/29/fire-resistant-sodium-battery-balances-safety-cost-and-performance/

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.


23 posted on 05/06/2024 12:46:36 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: Red Badger
Sodium reacts violently with water.
More water will just make it worse.
Wonder how a smashed open sodium battery will react to a fire hose.

24 posted on 05/06/2024 12:47:49 PM PDT by BitWielder1 (I'd rather have Unequal Wealth than Equal Poverty.)
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To: BereanBrain
It’s not the lithium that ignites, it’s the electrolyte. Much less dangerous than gasoline, though

Less flammable, NOT less dangerous.
Gasoline evaporates very quickly, and gasoline fires are much easier to put out.

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.
25 posted on 05/06/2024 12:57:43 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana
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To: Red Badger
Bear in mind that sodium is heavier than lithium

It might be of more use to supplement solar/wind farms, etc.
26 posted on 05/06/2024 12:58:30 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana
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To: Dr. Sivana

Right now it’s target is electrical grid back-up..............


27 posted on 05/06/2024 1:05:30 PM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: oldtech
[I had read somewhere that it was non-flammable....????]

And recyclable in very tasty ways:


28 posted on 05/06/2024 1:12:14 PM PDT by PLMerite ("They say that we were Cold Warriors. Yes, and a bloody good show, too." - Robert Conquest )
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To: Dr. Sivana; BereanBrain

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.


29 posted on 05/06/2024 1:24:38 PM PDT by Cold_Red_Steel
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To: G Larry

First thing that went through my mind.


30 posted on 05/06/2024 2:33:39 PM PDT by VTenigma (Conspiracy theory is the new "spoiler alert")
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To: oldtech

Not sure what the chemistry is with the sodium but pure sodium is VERY adventurous when it comes in contact with water.


31 posted on 05/06/2024 2:52:24 PM PDT by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes.)
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To: BitWielder1
Sodium reacts violently with water.

Ah, the joys of high-school chemistry class.

Elemental sodium flushed down the toilet.

32 posted on 05/06/2024 2:55:56 PM PDT by TChad
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To: Organic Panic

Try it with NACL...very boring.


33 posted on 05/06/2024 4:39:45 PM PDT by BereanBrain
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To: BereanBrain

NACL and Dihydrogen Monoxide.... a deadly combination.


34 posted on 05/06/2024 8:57:38 PM PDT by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes.)
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To: BitWielder1
Sodium reacts violently with water.
More water will just make it worse.
Wonder how a smashed open sodium battery will react to a fire hose.


And yet all table salt (sodium chloride) does with water is dissolve in it.

Are these batteries using pure sodium (highly doubtful)? Flammability and reactivity can vary greatly depending on what other stuff the batteries are made out of. They may be completely inert, or just as explosive as you think. I didn't see much clarification on that.
35 posted on 05/07/2024 8:49:30 AM PDT by Svartalfiar
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To: butlerweave

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”)


36 posted on 05/07/2024 10:38:52 AM PDT by HeadOn (Love God. Lead your family. Be a man. )
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To: Svartalfiar
Because the sodium already reacted with chlorine.
They did not say sodium chlorine batteries.
Even though you can do that. Any two different metals in salt water makes a small battery. Played with that as a kid. Mom would not let me use sulfuric acid.

It's funny how two elements so highly reactive and toxic makes something essential for life as we know it.

37 posted on 05/07/2024 12:54:44 PM PDT by BitWielder1 (I'd rather have Unequal Wealth than Equal Poverty.)
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