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Categories: Energy: Batteries, Geoscience: Geology
Published Scientists convert waste paper into battery parts for smartphones and electric vehicles
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists have developed a technique to convert waste paper, from single-use packaging and bags, and cardboard boxes, into a crucial component of lithium-ion batteries. Through a process called carbonisation which converts paper into pure carbon, the researchers turned the paper's fibers into electrodes, which can be made into rechargeable batteries that power mobile phones, medical equipment, and electric vehicles.
Published Exploring the deep: Drones offer new ways to monitor sea floor
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have developed a novel method for measuring the earth's crust on the seafloor. A lightweight geodetic measurement device was mounted on a sea-surface landing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The mobility of this new system will enable rapid, efficient collection of real-time deep seafloor information, which is critical for understanding earthquake risk, as well as various other oceanographic observations.
Published Monitoring 'frothy' magma gases could help evade disaster
(via sciencedaily.com) Volcanic eruptions are dangerous and difficult to predict. A team has found that the ratio of atoms in specific gases released from volcanic fumaroles (gaps in the Earth's surface) can provide an indicator of what is happening to the magma deep below -- similar to taking a blood test to check your health. This can indicate when things might be 'heating up.' Specifically, changes in the ratio of argon-40 and helium-3 can indicate how frothy the magma is, which signals the risk of different types of eruption. Understanding which ratios of which gases indicate a certain type of magma activity is a big step. Next, the team hopes to develop portable equipment which can provide on-site, real-time measurements for a 24/7 volcanic activity monitoring and early warning system.
Published Engineers solve a mystery on the path to smaller, lighter batteries
(via sciencedaily.com) A new discovery could finally usher the development of solid-state lithium batteries, which would be more lightweight, compact, and safe than current lithium batteries. The growth of metallic filaments called dendrites within the solid electrolyte has been a longstanding obstacle, but the new study explains how dendrites form and how to divert them.
Published Earth can regulate its own temperature over millennia, new study finds
(via sciencedaily.com) A new study confirms that the planet harbors a 'stabilizing feedback' mechanism that acts over hundreds of thousands of years to keep global temperatures within a steady, habitable range.
Published Unlocking deep carbon's fate
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Carbon dioxide in the deep Earth may be more active than previously thought and may have played a bigger role in climate change than scientists knew before, according to a new study.
Published Understanding a cerium quirk could help advance grid-scale energy storage
(via sciencedaily.com) An explanation for why flow batteries using the metal cerium in a sulfuric acid electrolyte fall short on voltage could pave the way for better battery chemistry.
Published Desert dust collected from glacier ice helps document climate change
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers are using dust trapped in glacier ice in Tibet to document past changes in Earth's intricate climate system -- and maybe one day help predict future changes.
Published Putting the brakes on lithium-ion batteries to prevent fires
(via sciencedaily.com) Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used to power everything from smart watches to electric vehicles, thanks to the large amounts of energy they can store in small spaces. When overheated, however, they're prone to catching fire or even exploding. But recent research offers a possible solution with a new technology that can swiftly put the brakes on a Li-ion battery, shutting it down when it gets too hot.
Published Previously unseen processes reveal path to better rechargeable battery performance
(via sciencedaily.com) To design better rechargeable ion batteries, engineers and chemists have collaborated to combine a powerful new electron microscopy technique and data mining to visually pinpoint areas of chemical and physical alteration within ion batteries.
Published Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A study has found evidence that the evolution of tree roots over 300 million years ago triggered mass extinction events through the same chemical processes created by pollution in modern oceans and lakes.
Published Earth's oldest stromatolites and the search for life on Mars
(via sciencedaily.com) The earliest morphological traces of life on Earth are often highly controversial, both because non-biological processes can produce relatively similar structures and because such fossils have often been subjected to advanced alteration and metamorphism. Stromatolites, layered organo-sedimentary structures reflecting complex interplays between microbial communities and their environment, have long been considered key macrofossils for life detection in ancient sedimentary rocks; however, the biological origin of ancient stromatolites has frequently been criticized.
Published Water for drinking? Nope, water for batteries
(via sciencedaily.com) A research team develops aqueous rechargeable batteries based on zinc anodes. Polymeric artificial interphase to improve battery stability.
Published 2D nanosheets as anodes in Li-ion batteries: The answer is in the sheets
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers use titanium diboride nanosheets as anode material in lithium-ion batteries to enable fast charging and extend battery life.
Published Batteries without critical raw materials
(via sciencedaily.com) The market for rechargeable batteries is growing rapidly, but the necessary raw materials are limited. Sodium-ion batteries, for example, could offer an alternative. Researchers have investigated new combinations of electrolyte solutions and electrode materials for this purpose.
Published Researchers design next-generation electrolytes for lithium metal batteries
(via sciencedaily.com) A team of researchers has discovered a new mechanism to stabilize the lithium metal electrode and electrolyte in lithium metal batteries. This new mechanism, which does not depend on the traditional kinetic approach, has potential to greatly enhance the energy density of batteries.
Published Limits of lithium extraction from thermal water
(via sciencedaily.com) Pumping up thermal water, separating lithium, and using it to produce batteries for electric mobility -- the idea of lithium as an environmentally compatible and regionally available by-product of geothermal energy plants appears highly promising. However, it has not been clear so far whether domestic lithium extraction is really worthwhile. A team of researchers has now summarized the state of the art, analyzed raw materials markets, and assessed technologies.
Published Keeping electricity affordable on wireless charging highways
(via sciencedaily.com) Efficient pricing will be crucial to minimize energy costs for private operators who provide on-the-highway wireless charging for electric cars -- and for consumers who will use this service, according to new research.
Published Watching lithium in real time could improve performance of EV battery materials
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have found that the irregular movement of lithium ions in next-generation battery materials could be reducing their capacity and hindering their performance.
Published Chemists boost eco-friendly battery performance using catalysts with unconventional phase nanostructures
(via sciencedaily.com) The metal-carbon dioxide battery is a promising and environmentally friendly technology, but its energy efficiency is limited. Recently, a research team has discovered an innovative way to overcome this problem by introducing an unconventional phase nanomaterial as a catalyst, boosting battery energy efficiency up to 83.8%. The study reveals a novel design of catalysts for the new generation of meta-gas batteries that can contribute to carbon neutral goals.