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

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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.

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Ceramatec licensing molten sodium technology for heavy oil upgrading; removing the need for diluent for bitumen

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Flowchart of Molten Sodium Upgrading process. A new company, Field Upgrading (Calgary, Alberta), has been formed dedicated to developing and commercializing the Molten Sodium Upgrading (MSU) technology. When electricity is applied to the ceramic membrane, elemental sodium is extracted through the membrane and recycled to the process.

Sodium 199
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Clean water company Ostara raises $14.5M for major expansion

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a clean water company that recovers phosphorus and nitrogen from industrial and municipal wastewaters to create premium fertilizers, completed a US$14.5-million Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc., million private equity financing. a fund managed by FourWinds Capital Management.

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

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Rapid innovation like this will drive the acceleration of the energy transition in the United States and globally. 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.

Hydrogen 333
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UMD-led study: road salts and other human sources are threatening world’s freshwater supplies

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Kaushal and his team named these cascading effects of introduced salts Freshwater Salinization Syndrome, and it can poison drinking water and cause negative effects on human health, agriculture, infrastructure, wildlife and the stability of ecosystems. And it’s happening in many places we look in the United States and around the world.

Supplies 195
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Converting Coal Power Plants to Nuclear Gains Steam

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In the United States, coal’s share of electricity generation has plummeted since its early 2000s peak; 28 percent of U.S. DOE analysts screened 349 retired and 273 still-operating coal-plant sites across the United States. It is true that, in much of the developing world, coal-fired capacity continues to grow.

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Berkeley Lab leading investigation to quantify and characterize Salton Sea’s geothermal lithium resources

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The hot brine that comes up from the subsurface as part of geothermal power production at the Salton Sea in California is a rich stew of minerals, including iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and lithium. Credit: Jenny Nuss/Berkeley Lab). Both of these methods have serious environmental issues associated with them.

Bolivia 259