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 ...
If you liked Lithium Battery fires, you’ll love Sodium Battery fires.
Is it practical for EV batteries? I was wondering about it’s power output potential as compared to Lithium.
I had read somewhere that it was non-flammable....????
Bear in mind that sodium is heavier than lithium:
“Sodium is a heavier element than lithium, with an atomic weight 3.3 times greater than lithium (sodium 23 g/mol vs lithium 6.9 g/mol)...................
It’s not the lithium that ignites, it’s the electrolyte.
Much less dangerous than gasoline, though
But heavier, so stationary applications.
does this battery have any chance of breaking the chinese lock on the lithium ion battery market?
“can be procured through a reliable US-based domestic supply chain free from geopolitical disruption.”
Can’t have that. The regime will shut it down in a heartbeat.
In HS Chemistry, I dropped a little sodium on the counter and it ate its way through the surface down above 1/4 inch; I seem to recall flames.
I recall a river barge loaded with sodium-something (of course, I forget he exact compound) - the barge sank.
Lots of work to refloat that barge, that could have blown up the nearby bridge.
They don’t burn but explode ?
Sure. Industrial applications....................
What is less dangerous than gasoline, lithium electrolyte or sodium?
Lithium battery fires are almost impossible to extinguish. They have to simply run their course. I don't see how that is safer than gasoline.
Less range and lots more charging ? That will PO people
If only the research could get billions of dollars in guvment grants to complete this project. Just name it as Solyndra Studies.
From the article:
Natron says its batteries charge and discharge at rates 10 times faster than lithium-ion, a level of immediate charge/discharge capability that makes the batteries a prime contender for the ups and downs of backup power storage. Also helping in that use case is an estimated lifespan of 50,000 cycles.
That being said, sodium batteries are being looked at for load leveling storage for wind and solar farms, not for vehicles at this time.
What kind of energy in-put is required to break up the Sodium Chloride molecule?
Has anyone here seen photos of lithium leaching ponds?
Completely hideous from an environmental point of view.
There are dozens of greenish yellow ponds that can take up hundreds of acres.
It must cost tens of millions of dollars to rehabilitate the land after the lithium has been extracted.
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