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New liquid alloy electrode significantly lowers operating temperature of sodium-beta batteries; improved performance

Green Car Congress

Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have devised an alloying strategy that enables sodium-beta batteries to operate at significantly lower temperatures. The new electrode enables sodium-beta batteries to last longer, helps streamline their manufacturing process and reduces the risk of accidental fire.

Sodium 218
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DOE awards Cummins $5M for automation of electrolyzer cell and stack assembly

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Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers use a solid polymer electrolyte, and alkaline electrolyzers use an electrolyte solution, such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide mixed with water. When any type of electrolyzer is powered by renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar or hydro, it produces “green” hydrogen.

Hydrogen 333
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Univ. of Texas researchers propose lithium- or sodium-water batteries as next generation of high-capacity battery technology; applicable for EVs and grid storage

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John Goodenough, are proposing a strategy for high-capacity next-generation alkali (lithium or sodium)-ion batteries using water-soluble redox couples as the cathode. The present sodium-sulfur battery operates above 300 °C. A = lithium or sodium (Li or Na), M represents a metal and 1 ≤ n < z. —Lu et al.

Sodium 218
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Energy Harvesting for Wearable Technology Steps Up

Cars That Think

The best-known wearable energy-harvesting tech today is, of course, solar, which pulls down electrons from sunlight or ambient light. But solar is just the opening gambit. A backpack with a giant solar panel might work technically, but not in reality. Leveraging watch tech for…bisons? Batteries die before animals do.

Energy 136
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UT Austin team devises new strategy for safe, low-cost, all-solid-state rechargeable Na or Li batteries suited for EVs

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John Goodenough, known around the world for his pioneering work that led to the invention of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery, have devised a new strategy for a safe, low-cost, all-solid-state rechargeable sodium or lithium battery cell that has the required energy density and cycle life for a battery that powers an all-electric road vehicle.

Low Cost 150
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NSF to award $13M to projects focused on electrochemical and organic photovoltaic systems

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Advanced systems such as lithium-air, sodium-ion, as well as lithium-ion electrochemical energy storage are appropriate. Devices of interest include polymer and small molecule organic photovoltaics or dye sensitized photovoltaics for electricity generation.

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NSF to award $13M for fundamental engineering research on production of electricity and fuels

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Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Energy. Advanced systems such as lithium-air, sodium-ion, as well as lithium-ion electrochemical energy storage are appropriate. Fundamental research on innovative processes for the fabrication and theory-based characterization of future PV devices is an emphasis area of this program.