#Energy and Power

[liberalsarecool]

Solar energy has so many benefits. Raising salaries for teachers is such a needed narrative.

[nextmscblog]

Transforming Energy Storage: Aluminum Air Batteries Market Progress

Introduction

The global shift towards sustainable energy solutions has catalyzed rapid advancements in energy storage technologies. Among these, aluminum air batteries have emerged as a promising contender, offering a combination of high energy density, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. According to a study by Next Move Strategy Consulting, the Aluminum Air Batteries Market is projected to reach a valuation of USD 12.51 billion by 2030, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. This article delves deeper into the progress and potential of aluminum air batteries, exploring their key features, applications, market dynamics, and future prospects.

Understanding Aluminum Air Batteries

Aluminum air batteries operate on a simple yet effective principle: the oxidation of aluminum at the anode and the reduction of oxygen at the cathode. During discharge, aluminum reacts with hydroxide ions in the electrolyte, forming aluminum hydroxide and releasing electrons. Meanwhile, oxygen from the air reacts with water and electrons at the cathode, forming hydroxide ions. This electrochemical reaction generates a flow of electricity, which can be harnessed to power various applications.

Request for a sample, here: https://www.nextmsc.com/aluminum-air-batteries-market/request-sample

One of the defining features of aluminum air batteries is their high energy density. Aluminum boasts a high specific energy, meaning it can store a large amount of energy per unit mass. This characteristic makes aluminum air batteries particularly well-suited for applications where space and weight are critical considerations, such as portable electronics, electric vehicles (EVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Moreover, aluminum air batteries are inherently eco-friendly. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which rely on scarce and environmentally damaging materials such as cobalt and lithium, aluminum air batteries utilize abundant and widely available resources. Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust, making it a sustainable and environmentally responsible choice for energy storage.

Applications of Aluminum Air Batteries

The versatility and scalability of aluminum air batteries make them suitable for a wide range of applications across various industries. In the automotive sector, aluminum air batteries hold significant promise for powering electric vehicles (EVs). With the global push towards decarbonization and the electrification of transportation, there is growing demand for energy-dense and long-lasting battery solutions. Aluminum air batteries offer a compelling proposition in this regard, providing a lightweight and efficient power source for electric cars, buses, and trucks.

In addition to transportation, aluminum air batteries find applications in stationary energy storage systems, grid-level energy storage, and off-grid power generation. As renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power continue to gain prominence, the need for reliable and cost-effective energy storage solutions becomes increasingly critical. Aluminum air batteries offer an effective means of storing surplus energy generated from renewable sources, thereby enabling grid stabilization, load balancing, and energy independence.

Furthermore, aluminum air batteries have potential applications in the aerospace industry, where lightweight and high-energy-density batteries are essential for powering aircraft and spacecraft. From small drones to larger unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellites, aluminum air batteries offer a compact and efficient power source for extended missions and remote operations.

Market Dynamics and Growth Trends

The Aluminum Air Batteries Market is characterized by a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape, driven by a combination of technological advancements, market demand, and regulatory developments. Key factors influencing market growth include:

Technological Innovations: Ongoing advancements in battery technology, materials science, and manufacturing processes are driving improvements in the performance, efficiency, and durability of aluminum air batteries. Innovations such as advanced electrode designs, novel electrolyte formulations, and enhanced system integration are enhancing the viability and competitiveness of aluminum air batteries in the marketplace.

Market Demand: Increasing awareness of environmental sustainability, coupled with the growing demand for clean energy solutions, is fueling the adoption of aluminum air batteries across various industries. As governments, businesses, and consumers prioritize energy efficiency and carbon reduction goals, the demand for energy storage solutions capable of supporting renewable energy integration and grid stability is expected to surge.

Regulatory Environment: Regulatory initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy efficiency, and accelerating the transition to clean energy are shaping market dynamics and driving investment in sustainable energy technologies. Policies such as carbon pricing, renewable energy mandates, and incentives for electric vehicles are creating favorable conditions for the deployment of aluminum air batteries and other clean energy solutions.

Market Competition: The Aluminum Air Batteries Market is characterized by intense competition among key players, including battery manufacturers, technology developers, and automotive OEMs. As companies vie for market share and strive to differentiate their offerings, we can expect to see increased investment in research and development, strategic partnerships, and product innovation.

Global Economic Trends: Macroeconomic factors such as GDP growth, industrial production, and consumer spending patterns also influence market dynamics and growth trends. Economic expansion, particularly in emerging markets, can drive demand for energy-intensive products and services, thereby creating opportunities for energy storage solutions such as aluminum air batteries.

Future Prospects and Challenges

Looking ahead, the Aluminum Air Batteries Market holds immense potential for growth and innovation. As the global transition towards clean energy accelerates, aluminum air batteries are expected to play a pivotal role in enabling renewable energy integration, decarbonizing transportation, and advancing sustainable development goals.

However, several challenges and considerations must be addressed to realize the full potential of aluminum air batteries:

Cost-Effectiveness: While aluminum air batteries offer compelling advantages in terms of energy density and sustainability, cost considerations remain a significant barrier to widespread adoption. Efforts to reduce manufacturing costs, improve production efficiency, and scale up manufacturing capacity will be crucial in making aluminum air batteries more economically viable.

Durability and Lifespan: Ensuring the durability and longevity of aluminum air batteries is essential for maximizing their value proposition and minimizing lifecycle costs. Research into materials science, battery design, and operational strategies is needed to enhance battery performance, reliability, and lifespan under real-world operating conditions.

Infrastructure and Compatibility: The deployment of aluminum air batteries may require investments in supporting infrastructure, including battery charging and swapping stations, grid integration systems, and recycling facilities. Ensuring interoperability and compatibility with existing infrastructure and regulatory frameworks will be essential for facilitating the widespread adoption of aluminum air batteries.

Inquire before buying, here: https://www.nextmsc.com/aluminum-air-batteries-market/inquire-before-buying

Environmental Impact: While aluminum air batteries offer environmental benefits compared to conventional battery technologies, attention must be paid to the environmental footprint of battery production, operation, and end-of-life disposal. Minimizing resource consumption, optimizing recycling processes, and adopting sustainable manufacturing practices are critical for mitigating the environmental impact of aluminum air batteries.

Regulatory and Policy Support: Government policies, regulations, and incentives play a crucial role in shaping market dynamics and driving investment in clean energy technologies. Continued support for research and development, market incentives for renewable energy deployment, and regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation and sustainability will be essential for fostering the growth of the Aluminum Air Batteries Market.

Conclusion

In conclusion, aluminum air batteries represent a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionize the energy storage landscape. With their high energy density, eco-friendliness, and versatility, aluminum air batteries offer a compelling solution for addressing the challenges of energy storage and advancing the transition towards a sustainable energy future. As research and development efforts continue to accelerate and market demand grows, aluminum air batteries are poised to emerge as a key enabler of clean energy technologies, driving progress and innovation across various sectors and contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure for future generations.

[greykolla-art]

Charlie: “I’m so glad my most villain-coded friend is at full power again! 🥰💕”

*throws this to you angst goblins like raw steak* ❤️

(No I will not do a part 2!❤️)

[void-dude]

Oh yeah his brain finally kick started processing his emotions! Against his will!!!

Bill at therapy part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

[multitrackdrifting]

someone might need to hear this

[mohitbisresearch]

The Asia-Pacific Data Center Liquid Cooling Market is poised for remarkable growth between 2022 and 2027. According to a research report by BIS Research, this market is expected to exhibit a substantial increase, with a projected value of over US$ 663.4 million in 2022, set to soar to an impressive US$ 2,609.1 million by 2027. Anticipated to achieve an outstanding Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 31.51% during this period, this growth is attributed to various factors. The data is excluding china region.

[vixeneptune]

See yourself being perceived by others in this light bc you already are such a remarkable beauty to witness

Pov : everyone who sees you says this about your looks

"Omg you're drop dead GORGEOUS 😍 "

"HOW are you so pretty 😭😭 what's your secret"

" you're literally the prettiest girl I've ever seen I'm not even kidding"

"Your eyes are so mesmerizing wow😍 ..I'm in love"

"U have the most perfect lips"

"Ur eyebrows are always on fleek"

"I love how long and thick ur eyelashes are"

"You're so beautiful I'm obsessed"

"Ur skin is literally FLAWLESS"

"I'm convinced you're a real life goddess"

"I looove ur hair it looks so healthy and soft and luscious "

"How are u even real? U look so ethereal and out of this world!"

"Ur beauty has me daydreaming and writing poems"

"Ur beauty alone leaves an unforgettable mark on everyone"

"I can't fathom how pretty you are"

"Everything about u is perfect, like youre unbelievably stunning"

"What's it like being the most beautiful girl in the world?😍"

"U have this kind of beauty thats so captivating, haunting and addictive to look at"

"I love ur stylee u always look so chic"

"You're such an eye-candy I could look at you forever"

"Ur face is literally my desired face, ur beauty is the standard"

"Girl I would kill to look like u"

"Ur beauty leaves me speechless everytime, how do u have that effect?"

"I don't think anyone who looks at u can resist falling in love w you"

"Has anyone ever told you how powerful your beauty is? Like it's dangerous how beautiful u are"

"Do you model? U literally have the body and looks for it"

"I love ur fashion sense , u give off IT girl vibes"

"Stop looking at me with those siren eyes 🫠"

Pov : people say this behind your back

"She's def the kind of girl who steals all the attention with her beauty when she walks into a room"

"Y/N had a huge glow up, she keeps getting prettier everytime I see her"

"She looks so stunning in pictures but wait till u see her irl its even better"

"I genuinely think she's the prettiest girl in existence"

"There's something about her beauty thats so hypnotic it sticks in ur mind"

"My heart starts beating so fast when she looks at me. Her beauty makes me nervous"

"Have you seen Y/N? she's the prettiest around here"

"She has that kind of beauty that everyone wanna copy"

"She's naturally beautiful like she doesn't even try"

💌💌💌

Let me know if u want more like this 💫

[1001aus]

Phantom is a member of JLA when everyone finds out that the Bats have contingency plans against everyone else.

While everyone else is shouting about trust and betrayal, Danny can't help but be relieved. He's seen his bad future, after all. Dan is reformed now, but that doesn't retroactively save the timeline he wiped out.

Danny only has one issue with the contingencies for him: Batman mistakenly believes that his intangibility works the same as Martian density shifting.

It doesn't. In fact, they're very different powers. Intangibility is more of a phase shift where he turns his physical form into energy.

This means that none of the contingencies in his file will work because they don't accurately account for one of his basic powers.

(The shouting actually gets derailed for a bit when he brings it up. All the scientists are a bit horrified about the implied energy conversions happening whenever he uses this "basic" power. As a halfa with an actual physical form, Danny should be giving off enough energy to blow up the planet whenever he transforms.)

[oliviadlima]

Power Semiconductor Market is Projected to Reach 387.80 Million by 2031

The global power semiconductor market was valued at $48.9 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $75.1 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2032.

Power semiconductors are electronic devices that are specifically designed to handle high power levels in electrical circuits.

Read More: https://bit.ly/3rb3uqg

[qifreyplushie]

his waggles have been haunting me

[nextmscblog]

Analyzing Investment Opportunities in the Battery Market

Introduction: The Battery Market has become a pivotal sector within the broader energy industry, poised for substantial growth in the coming years. As per a comprehensive study conducted by Next Move Strategy Consulting, the global Battery Market is anticipated to burgeon to a staggering USD 406.08 billion by 2030, exhibiting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.9%. This projection underscores the immense potential that lies within the battery sector, presenting investors with a compelling opportunity to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for energy storage solutions across diverse industries.

Understanding Market Dynamics: Investing in the Battery Market necessitates a nuanced understanding of the underlying dynamics and key drivers propelling its expansion. Several factors contribute to the rapid growth of the market, including the escalating adoption of renewable energy sources, the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market, and continuous advancements in battery technology. Additionally, governmental initiatives aimed at promoting clean energy adoption and decarbonizing transportation further catalyze market growth.

Request for a sample PDF report: https://www.nextmsc.com/battery-market/request-sample

The escalating demand for energy storage solutions stems from the imperatives of transitioning towards a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are increasingly being integrated into the grid, driving the need for effective energy storage solutions to mitigate intermittency issues and ensure grid stability. Batteries play a crucial role in this regard, offering a means to store surplus energy during periods of excess generation and discharge it during times of peak demand.

The rapid proliferation of electric vehicles also underscores the significance of the Battery Market. With the automotive industry undergoing a paradigm shift towards electrification, batteries have emerged as the cornerstone of EV technology. Lithium-ion batteries, in particular, have gained widespread adoption due to their high energy density, long cycle life, and relatively low cost. As automakers strive to enhance the performance and affordability of electric vehicles, the demand for advanced battery solutions is expected to soar exponentially.

Moreover, ongoing innovations in battery technology continue to expand the horizons of the Battery Market, paving the way for next-generation solutions with enhanced performance, durability, and safety features. Emerging technologies such as solid-state batteries, which replace the liquid electrolyte with a solid material, hold the promise of higher energy density, faster charging rates, and improved safety profiles compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Similarly, flow batteries, which utilize liquid electrolytes stored in external tanks, offer scalability and flexibility, making them well-suited for grid-scale energy storage applications.

Identifying Growth Segments: To capitalize on investment opportunities in the Battery Market, investors must discern and prioritize growth segments within the industry. While lithium-ion batteries currently dominate the market, accounting for a significant share of energy storage deployments across various applications, other battery technologies are also gaining traction and warrant attention.

Solid-state batteries, for instance, represent a disruptive innovation with the potential to revolutionize the energy storage landscape. By replacing the flammable liquid electrolyte with a solid material, solid-state batteries promise higher energy density, faster charging rates, and enhanced safety compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Companies pioneering solid-state battery technology are attracting substantial investments from both private and public sectors, signaling growing confidence in the commercial viability of this emerging technology.

Flow batteries, another promising segment within the Battery Market, offer unique advantages for grid-scale energy storage applications. Unlike traditional batteries, which rely on electrodes to store energy, flow batteries utilize liquid electrolytes stored in external tanks. This design enables flow batteries to scale up capacity independently of power, making them highly adaptable to fluctuating demand patterns and renewable energy generation.

Moreover, flow batteries offer inherent advantages in terms of safety, longevity, and recyclability, making them an attractive option for stationary energy storage applications. With utilities and grid operators increasingly recognizing the importance of energy storage in enhancing grid reliability and resilience, flow batteries are poised to play a pivotal role in the transition towards a more decentralized and renewable-centric energy infrastructure.

Assessing Market Risks: While the Battery Market presents promising investment opportunities, it is not without its share of risks and challenges. Investors must conduct a thorough risk assessment to mitigate potential pitfalls and safeguard their investments against adverse market conditions.

One of the primary risks associated with investing in the Battery Market is the volatility of raw material prices, particularly lithium and cobalt, which are essential components of lithium-ion batteries. Fluctuations in commodity prices can impact manufacturing costs and profit margins, posing challenges for battery manufacturers and downstream stakeholders. To mitigate this risk, investors may consider diversifying their portfolios across multiple battery technologies and geographic regions to reduce reliance on specific raw materials and market dynamics.

Supply chain disruptions represent another significant risk factor for the Battery Market, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and unforeseen events such as natural disasters or pandemics. For  instance, disrupted global supply chains and manufacturing operations, leading to shortages of critical components and delays in battery production. To mitigate supply chain risks, investors may explore vertical integration strategies or forge strategic partnerships with suppliers to secure access to essential raw materials and components.

Regulatory uncertainties also pose challenges for investors in the Battery Market, particularly in regions with evolving energy policies and environmental regulations. Changes in government incentives, tariffs, or trade policies can impact market dynamics and investor returns, necessitating a proactive approach to risk management and compliance. By staying abreast of regulatory developments and engaging with policymakers and industry stakeholders, investors can adapt their strategies accordingly and navigate regulatory complexities effectively.

Investment Strategies: Navigating the intricacies of the Battery Market requires a strategic approach tailored to individual risk tolerance and investment objectives. Investors should prioritize thorough due diligence and market research to identify high-growth opportunities and mitigate potential risks effectively. Here are some investment strategies to consider when venturing into the Battery Market:

Diversification: Investing in a diverse portfolio of battery technologies, market segments, and geographic regions can help spread risk and maximize returns. By diversifying across different segments of the Battery Market, investors can capture opportunities while mitigating exposure to specific risks or market fluctuations.

Long-term Perspective: The Battery Market is poised for sustained growth in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for energy storage solutions and advancements in battery technology. Adopting a long-term investment horizon allows investors to capitalize on the secular trends shaping the industry while weathering short-term market volatility and fluctuations.

Technological Innovation: Investing in companies at the forefront of battery technology innovation offers exposure to disruptive technologies and potential market leaders. Companies developing next-generation battery technologies such as solid-state batteries, flow batteries, and advanced materials stand to benefit from increasing demand for high-performance, sustainable energy storage solutions.

Inquire before buying: https://www.nextmsc.com/battery-market/inquire-before-buying

Sustainable Investing: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are becoming increasingly important for investors seeking to align their investment portfolios with sustainable and ethical principles. Investing in companies with robust ESG practices and a commitment to environmental stewardship can generate long-term value while contributing to positive social and environmental outcomes.

Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with industry partners, research institutions, and government agencies can provide investors with valuable insights, resources, and opportunities within the Battery Market. Strategic partnerships enable investors to leverage complementary expertise, access new markets, and accelerate innovation, thereby enhancing the overall competitiveness and resilience of their investment portfolios.

Conclusion: The Battery Market presents lucrative investment opportunities driven by the growing demand for energy storage solutions and continuous advancements in battery technology. With a projected market size of USD 406.08 billion by 2030, investors have the potential to realize substantial returns by strategically allocating capital in this dynamic and rapidly evolving industry. However, prudent risk management, thorough due diligence, and a long-term perspective are essential for maximizing investment success and navigating the complexities of the Battery Market effectively. By embracing innovation, sustainability, and strategic collaboration, investors can position themselves to capitalize on the transformative potential of the Battery Market while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

[totally-here]

3 times Phantom's Guardian was Mentioned + 1 Time He Showed Up

One

Phantom’s introduction to Young Justice wasn’t as dramatic as Empress’ or Slobo’s, or even Arrowette’s first introduction to the cave. No, it wasn’t during the Olympics, or on a battlefield, and he didn’t come in injured and looking for help. 

Impulse just brought Phantom in one day and insisted that he should join because he’s their age, interested in justice, and now that Greta’s human again they need another ghost member. So Phantom stayed, popping in and out for missions but never really sticking around all that long. 

Today is one of the days that Phantom’s with them on a mission, that being looking around a lab of the Brain’s that had an energy surge recently, despite it being presumably abandoned. 

Kon got paired up with Phantom to check the rest out first, since they both have better hearing than Anita and Tim, who were both still in the main room working on checking the computers for previous activity. 

The room is dark except for the light green ball glowing slightly above Phantom’s hand. He waves it around enough for it to reflect off of glass, then throws it up to the ceiling. The light expands enough to illuminate the room. 

Phantom mumbles about not knowing he could do that. Kon ignores him and moves closer to inspect the glass tubes to the side of several monitors set up. 

“Looks like cloning equipment,” Phantom says, casually. He drags a finger through the dust gathering on one of the monitors. “Don’t think they’ve been activated recently, though, so that’s good.”

“What? You got a problem with clones or something?” It’s a quick and defensive answer, and Phantom puts his hands up in surrender. 

“Not in concept.” He shrugs and joins Kon near the tubes. “But not a lot of people ask before making clones.”

“So I don’t need to sic Superman on you?” Obviously Kon could chew Phantom out himself, but few can do a “not mad, just disappointed” face better than Clark. 

Phantom scrunches his face. “Why would you need to?” 

Kon stops pretending to inspect the tube and stares at Phantom. “You do know I’m a clone, right?” The blank look on Phantom’s face tells him that no, he did not. “Well I am. Clone of Superman, though we’re pretty much brothers now.”

“Cool,” Phantom says, not a bit less friendly. He hesitates for a second before continuing, “Could I maybe ask you how you got there? Me and my clone have landed on cousins, but that was also, like, given to us by her evil dad. So.”

Phantom trails off. Huh, that makes three members of the team that have been cloned. Not a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened three times. 

“You’re making sure she feels accepted, right?” 

“Yeah! Well, whenever she’s around. She,” Phantom waves his hand around, looking for the right word, “She’s a wanderer. Exploring the world and stuff. But Richard has a room for her at home, and I remind her of that whenever she does stop by.” 

“Well, first of all, don’t push it so hard,” Kon says. Phantom nods enthusiastically. “And second, who’s Richard?”

Kon doesn’t know a lot of Richards, and he doesn’t think that Phantom ever mentioned one before. Or even if he remembers his living life. 

“Oh, he’s my, uh, guardian? I guess that’s the best term. The guy I’m living with who forces me to go to school sometimes.” Phantom looks away and back to the tubes. 

Before Kon can ask for more details, Robin and Empress come in with a report of dead computers and wanting to know where they’re at with the cloning room.

They’re unimpressed with their lack of progress.

Two

Wally doesn’t really need to come by the Hamilton Lodge that often, not when that’s Young Justice’s territory and he doesn’t want to get involved in all of That.

But Red Tornado said that the team has a file on a planet that’s very quickly becoming a league problem, and he figured it might be a good time to try to check in with Bart, anyway. Make sure he hasn’t run any cars off cliffs again and all that. 

So he stops by Manchester to ask Bart about the file, then they both head East to actually find it. 

When they arrive at the hotel minutes later, Wally’s surprised to actually find it… clean? There’s no visible trash or overturned furniture or anything else he’d expect from an abandoned hotel filled with teenagers. Well, maybe not filled, lately. He doesn’t think anyone’s living here currently, with Greta at Elias’ for the school year and Slobo gone. 

Still, the room smells slightly of artificial pine scent, and Bart perks up before disappearing and reappearing rapidly, holding a teammate up by his armpits. Said teammate just accepts this, his legs folding into a wispy tail, and head rolling against his shoulders. 

“This is Phantom!” Bart holds him up higher. Phantom waves. Wally’s only heard of him through Max’s updates, the same way he would hear about Preston or Carol, but with more wariness about the supposed ghost. 

Actually looking at the pale face and glowing green eyes contrasting against the darker than dark jumpsuit, Wally’s a little more ready to accept his claim at being undead. 

“He stress cleans,” Bart explains, moving to carry Phantom under his arm. Wally bites down the urge to tell him to put him down, but only because Phantom doesn’t resist the hold, only moving to get into a more comfortable position. His hands are touching the floor. “So what happened?” 

Bart directs the question downwards, and Phantom heaves a very dramatic sigh. Definitely a teenager. It does raise the question of who exactly this kid’s mentor is. Hopefully he does have one. Maybe he’s the Spectre’s kid?

Phantom phases through the arm holding him only to lay on top of Bart’s hair. “I accidentally called Richard dad. And then fled.” 

Bart nods sagely. “Classic. One time I accidentally called Max dad, so I had to start a fire to distract him.”

Phantom sighs again, almost dreamily. “Genius.” 

Wally doesn’t have time to unpack all of that. Well he does, but he’s not going to, because there’s really only one Richard that comes to mind that might have the heart to take in a dead kid, even if he doesn’t go by his full name.

But surely Dick would have told him, or any other Titan, if he had adopted a kid. Right?

But there’s still a little shadow of doubt. Maybe Dick wanted it to be a secret, or it was really new or had a rocky start. Phantom doesn’t seem to hold himself like a Bat, but it’s not a guarantee Dick would have trained him. 

“The lodge looks nice,” Wally offers out loud, which Phantom shrugs at and wraps his tail around Bart’s head to keep secure. “Anyway, Impulse. The file on Myrg?” 

“Oh yeah!” Again, Bart disappears then reappears a few seconds later with a paper file. They really need to start digitizing more of these things. “That’s the planet where we played baseball so that they wouldn’t destroy Earth!” 

“You what.” 

The prospect of Dick following in his dad’s footsteps is forgotten in the face of what the hell Young Justice got up to on Myrg. 

Three

Tim may be in a…Predicament. 

It’s not his fault. Really. He knew what he was doing. He couldn’t let a civilian fall for the trap. But they were already so close, so he just, kinda, pushed himself into the rope instead. 

So there Robin is, tied upside down in a warehouse, with the Joker below next to an overly complicated control panel. The clown’s rambling about bombs hidden all over the city that Tim knows Batman is already tracking down with Batgirl. 

Tim’s not really paying attention to the rant because of that, more focused on wiggling enough to get the spare mini-birdarang out of his glove to cut the rope without notifying the Joker. 

“Yikes, bad time?” Asks Phantom’s voice beside him. Based on the source and accounting for the slight echo, he’s floating with his head near Tim’s, likely upside down. “Want some help?” 

Tim gets the birdarang out and starts sawing at the thick rope. They should be fine anyway, but stalling the Joker for extra time would be helpful. “Can you possess the Joker? Just hold him still.”

“The correct term is overshadow, but sure.” The voice disappears, and a few seconds later the Joker freezes. 

His body jerks forward, then backward, and a laugh chokes out of his throat. His hand claws over his mouth at the noise and he hunches over. All movement halts before he rights himself, shaking out his hands and rolling his shoulders. Phantom looks up at Tim and his eyes are glowing. 

Tim cuts through the rope, kicking and using the momentum to right himself and land on his feet. He brushes past Phantom in Joker’s body to handle the control panel. He turns off the radio broadcast and dismantles the bomb strapped to the panel.

Threat handled, he turns to Phantom and holds up some handcuffs. “Let me arrest you?”

Phantom obliges, turning the Joker’s body around and putting his hands behind his back. Tim lets him walk by himself out of the warehouse and moves the handcuffs around a lamppost. The Joker’s body jerks again, then slumps forward, just as Phantom reappears next to him, scowling down at the unconscious body. 

“That felt really slimy. Zero out of ten, would not do again,” Phantom grouches. 

“Why’re you in Gotham?” Tim asks. It’s not like Phantom makes a habit of visiting. The last time he came into the city, he complained about feeling the dead under the streets. Fortunately, that let Tim uncover a few tunnels that Talons travel through. Phantom, however, was unnerved by the Talons and left quickly. 

“Oh, Solomon Grundy’s back in our sewers. Richard said I should probably tell one of you Gotham heroes, since you keep track of those guys.” He shakes out his hands like they were cramped in the Joker. 

They hadn’t seen Grundy in a while. Tim assumed he was currently in a less violent personality. “What’s he doing?” 

Phantom shrugs. “Just chilling. Mostly underground. I tried to talk to him but he only grunted back at me. He also tried to pick me up, dunno what that was about.”

“Maybe because you’re both dead?” Tim guessed. That would be a surface level connection. Ivy and Woodrue have had more luck working with Grundy than anyone, and Phantom definitely doesn’t have the connection to the Green that’d help with that. 

Police lights turn around the corner, and Tim shoots a grapple to get to the roof above them. Phantom follows, but disappears as soon as they’re on the roof. Going back home, probably. 

Cass drops down from the roof she was listening on. “Richard?”

“Not the same one.”

They both stick around long enough to watch the Joker get put into the cop car. 

Plus one

A spaceship landed in the forests of New York, and Cassie’s team was the first to respond to it. Technically not respond, but check it out, since there wasn’t any alert or anything. 

Still, Wonder Girl has Empress, Robin, and Superboy on the other side of the ship, watching what looks like the back door, while she, Impulse, and Phantom watch the other door and main window. She has binoculars, but the windows are so tinted she can’t quite make anything out. 

No aliens have come out yet, and she hesitates to have anyone go in, in case whoever inside does turn hostile. 

Impulse has offered to run through a total of five times already, and it’s a testament to his restraint that he hasn’t, and a testament to Cassie’s that she hasn’t yelled at him yet. Phantom at least isn’t being annoying, but he’s not necessarily helpful, either. He’s not even watching the spaceship anymore. Now he’s trying to make a flower crown out of dandelions. 

“Door’s opening on our side,” Robin says from the comms. “But no one’s coming out.” 

“Alright, good enough to try to get in,” Cassie decides. She turns to Phantom, who’s closing off the circle of flowers. Beside him, Impulse has since pulled out a gameboy. “Phantom, go in invisibly through the open door and report back. Try to see what their plans are.” 

“Oh, sure. One second.” Phantom finishes the crown and tries to put it on Bart’s head. It doesn’t quite fit over his mane of hair, but Phantom shrugs and leaves it sitting there anyway before going invisible. 

“Maybe I should shave my head again,” Bart says as his game character dies. 

He gets a resounding no in response. 

Half an hour later they have a very annoyed Green Lantern lecturing them about league jurisdiction and knowing when to call someone else. 

Apparently, the alien ship was just stopping to complete some maintenance, and did not appreciate any spying on them, and especially did not appreciate who did it. Green Lantern was more than happy to explain that Wonder Girl’s team is not really a part of the Justice League and he can help with their maintenance. They denied his help and left to find a place with less people in it. 

“-and you!” Green Lantern rounds on Phantom next, but Cassie knows none of them are really listening. Sure, they messed up by freaking out the visiting aliens, and yeah maybe they should have contacted the league about it, but they’ve dealt with stuff worse than this! It’s not Cassie’s fault she thought that this would have stuck to the formula. 

“Who even are you?” Green Lantern runs a hand through his black hair, stupid green gauntlets shining in the sunlight. “Do I need to call your mentor?” He frowns. “Or do they know you mess up alien technology by just being around it?” 

Phantom scoffs and rolls his eyes. “How was I supposed to know their tech would go all fuzzy when I came in?” 

“You wouldn’t have to know if you just stayed out of the spaceship!” 

“Hey!” Cassie cuts in. “Technically that was my call. It’s not all on Phantom.”

“I still could've been more careful,” Phantom says to her, ignoring Green Lantern as they argue about blame. 

“Cut it out for a second, okay?” Green Lantern puts a hand between them and they stop to glare at him. He pulls the hand back. “Look, can I just talk to one of your adults about this?” 

Robin glares. “We don’t need an adult. We have this under control.”

“Only because I’m here now.” 

“I’ll call my mentor,” Phantom says. Kon opens his mouth, most likely to offer to call Superman instead in hopes of a lighter sentence, but Bart covers his mouth, smiling like he knows something Cassie doesn’t. Tim and Anita share a look, and don’t intervene as Phantom pulls out a phone from his chest. 

It rings once before it’s picked up. Cassie can’t hear the other side of the conversation, but Kon’s eyebrows scrunch in confusion. “Hey, do you think you can pick me up? Green Lantern wants to talk to you.” Phantom looks Green Lantern up and down then says, “No, this one doesn’t have a cape.”

Phantom says goodbye after rattling off their coordinates, hangs up, and stares at Green Lantern in silence for a few seconds. 

And then a swirling mass of black seeps into the space next to Phantom. The end of a cane steps out of it, followed by a leg, then the rest of the immaculately dressed man holding the handle of the cane that’s shaped like a bird’s head. 

“Phantom,” The man says. His voice drips with condescension in only a way a british accent can, yet Phantom smiles up at him. The shadowy portal behind him disappears. “What, exactly, happened?”

“That’s the fucking Shade,” Anita hisses to Robin, who shrugs noncommittedly at her. Green Lantern seems to recognise him too, taking a step back and clenching his hand that holds his ring. 

“Well, the team and I were staking out this spaceship–super cool, by the way–and I went inside to check it out, but my presence messed with their tech–which was an accident–and they freaked out, so I freaked out, and then we kinda got into a little fight until Green Lantern came to mediate.”

“Hm. Is that right?” The Shade asks Green Lantern, who nods slowly, still anticipating an attack. “It seems like the problem’s fixed, then.”

“Well, yes, but–”

“And it does seem about time for these kids to get home, doesn't it?” The Shade pulls out an actual pocket watch, chain and all, from his suit pocket and takes his time in checking it. “I’ll see them home.” 

Shadows grow from behind the team, swirling until they become a giant, gaping maw that swallows them up and spits them out in a different forest, or maybe just a different part of the same forest. 

Either way, Cassie has to take a moment to make sure she doesn’t throw up from the sudden vertigo the shadow portal caused. 

The Shade looks at Phantom, and raises an eyebrow. “You can’t expect me to always bail you out.” 

Phantom shrugs, looking guilty. “I know. Thanks, Richard.”

Oh, so that’s who Richard is. Annoyingly, neither Tim or Bart look surprised by this revelation.

[pokeberry5]

i feel like i never draw tim smiling but bb robin tim smiles a lot! (in between angst and tragedy)

brought to you by my continued attempts at figuring out tim’s early robin hair

[reasonsforhope]

"It is 70 years since AT&T’s Bell Labs unveiled a new technology for turning sunlight into power. The phone company hoped it could replace the batteries that run equipment in out-of-the-way places. It also realised that powering devices with light alone showed how science could make the future seem wonderful; hence a press event at which sunshine kept a toy Ferris wheel spinning round and round.

Today solar power is long past the toy phase. Panels now occupy an area around half that of Wales, and this year they will provide the world with about 6% of its electricity—which is almost three times as much electrical energy as America consumed back in 1954. Yet this historic growth is only the second-most-remarkable thing about the rise of solar power. The most remarkable is that it is nowhere near over.

To call solar power’s rise exponential is not hyperbole, but a statement of fact. Installed solar capacity doubles roughly every three years, and so grows ten-fold each decade. Such sustained growth is seldom seen in anything that matters. That makes it hard for people to get their heads round what is going on. When it was a tenth of its current size ten years ago, solar power was still seen as marginal even by experts who knew how fast it had grown. The next ten-fold increase will be equivalent to multiplying the world’s entire fleet of nuclear reactors by eight in less than the time it typically takes to build just a single one of them.

Solar cells will in all likelihood be the single biggest source of electrical power on the planet by the mid 2030s. By the 2040s they may be the largest source not just of electricity but of all energy. On current trends, the all-in cost of the electricity they produce promises to be less than half as expensive as the cheapest available today. This will not stop climate change, but could slow it a lot faster. Much of the world—including Africa, where 600m people still cannot light their homes—will begin to feel energy-rich. That feeling will be a new and transformational one for humankind.

To grasp that this is not some environmentalist fever dream, consider solar economics. As the cumulative production of a manufactured good increases, costs go down. As costs go down, demand goes up. As demand goes up, production increases—and costs go down further. This cannot go on for ever; production, demand or both always become constrained. In earlier energy transitions—from wood to coal, coal to oil or oil to gas—the efficiency of extraction grew, but it was eventually offset by the cost of finding ever more fuel.

As our essay this week explains, solar power faces no such constraint. The resources needed to produce solar cells and plant them on solar farms are silicon-rich sand, sunny places and human ingenuity, all three of which are abundant. Making cells also takes energy, but solar power is fast making that abundant, too. As for demand, it is both huge and elastic—if you make electricity cheaper, people will find uses for it. The result is that, in contrast to earlier energy sources, solar power has routinely become cheaper and will continue to do so.

Other constraints do exist. Given people’s proclivity for living outside daylight hours, solar power needs to be complemented with storage and supplemented by other technologies. Heavy industry and aviation and freight have been hard to electrify. Fortunately, these problems may be solved as batteries and fuels created by electrolysis gradually become cheaper...

The aim should be for the virtuous circle of solar-power production to turn as fast as possible. That is because it offers the prize of cheaper energy. The benefits start with a boost to productivity. Anything that people use energy for today will cost less—and that includes pretty much everything. Then come the things cheap energy will make possible. People who could never afford to will start lighting their houses or driving a car. Cheap energy can purify water, and even desalinate it. It can drive the hungry machinery of artificial intelligence. It can make billions of homes and offices more bearable in summers that will, for decades to come, be getting hotter.

But it is the things that nobody has yet thought of that will be most consequential. In its radical abundance, cheaper energy will free the imagination, setting tiny Ferris wheels of the mind spinning with excitement and new possibilities.

This week marks the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. The Sun rising to its highest point in the sky will in decades to come shine down on a world where nobody need go without the blessings of electricity and where the access to energy invigorates all those it touches."

-via The Economist, June 20, 2024

[lotus-pear]

double black