#no sodium

[reasonsforhope]

Green energy is in its heyday. 

Renewable energy sources now account for 22% of the nation’s electricity, and solar has skyrocketed eight times over in the last decade. This spring in California, wind, water, and solar power energy sources exceeded expectations, accounting for an average of 61.5 percent of the state's electricity demand across 52 days. 

But green energy has a lithium problem. Lithium batteries control more than 90% of the global grid battery storage market. 

That’s not just cell phones, laptops, electric toothbrushes, and tools. Scooters, e-bikes, hybrids, and electric vehicles all rely on rechargeable lithium batteries to get going. 

Fortunately, this past week, Natron Energy launched its first-ever commercial-scale production of sodium-ion batteries in the U.S. 

“Sodium-ion batteries offer a unique alternative to lithium-ion, with higher power, faster recharge, longer lifecycle and a completely safe and stable chemistry,” said Colin Wessells — Natron Founder and Co-CEO — at the kick-off event in Michigan. 

The new sodium-ion batteries charge and discharge at rates 10 times faster than lithium-ion, with an estimated lifespan of 50,000 cycles.

Wessells said that using sodium as a primary mineral alternative eliminates industry-wide issues of worker negligence, geopolitical disruption, and the “questionable environmental impacts” inextricably linked to lithium mining. 

“The electrification of our economy is dependent on the development and production of new, innovative energy storage solutions,” Wessells said. 

Why are sodium batteries a better alternative to lithium?

The birth and death cycle of lithium is shadowed in environmental destruction. The process of extracting lithium pollutes the water, air, and soil, and when it’s eventually discarded, the flammable batteries are prone to bursting into flames and burning out in landfills. 

There’s also a human cost. Lithium-ion materials like cobalt and nickel are not only harder to source and procure, but their supply chains are also overwhelmingly attributed to hazardous working conditions and child labor law violations. 

Sodium, on the other hand, is estimated to be 1,000 times more abundant in the earth’s crust than lithium. 

“Unlike lithium, sodium can be produced from an abundant material: salt,” engineer Casey Crownhart wrote ​​in the MIT Technology Review. “Because the raw ingredients are cheap and widely available, there’s potential for sodium-ion batteries to be significantly less expensive than their lithium-ion counterparts if more companies start making more of them.”

What will these batteries be used for?

Right now, Natron has its focus set on AI models and data storage centers, which consume hefty amounts of energy. In 2023, the MIT Technology Review reported that one AI model can emit more than 626,00 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

“We expect our battery solutions will be used to power the explosive growth in data centers used for Artificial Intelligence,” said Wendell Brooks, co-CEO of Natron. 

“With the start of commercial-scale production here in Michigan, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for efficient, safe, and reliable battery energy storage.”

The fast-charging energy alternative also has limitless potential on a consumer level, and Natron is eying telecommunications and EV fast-charging once it begins servicing AI data storage centers in June. 

On a larger scale, sodium-ion batteries could radically change the manufacturing and production sectors — from housing energy to lower electricity costs in warehouses, to charging backup stations and powering electric vehicles, trucks, forklifts, and so on. 

“I founded Natron because we saw climate change as the defining problem of our time,” Wessells said. “We believe batteries have a role to play.”

-via GoodGoodGood, May 3, 2024

--

Note: I wanted to make sure this was legit (scientifically and in general), and I'm happy to report that it really is! x, x, x, x

[mumblesplash]

tumblr is good bc i like following two people who wildly disagree about things and just watching them show up on my dash right next to each other with no way of knowing. they would hate each other if they interacted. but i’m the only thing connecting them, and it’s up to me whether they ever learn about about the enemy i’ve found for them. controlling destinies weaving the strings of fate etc

[brain-d0g]

dusky sky

[lotus-pear]

stormbringer chuuya the world

[tedsplaceusa]

Italian Seasoning

Ingredients  2 tablespoons dried basil 2 tablespoons dried oregano 2 tablespoons dried rosemary 2 tablespoons dried marjoram 2 tablespoons dried sage 2 tablespoons dried thyme 2 tablespoons dried savory Instructions  Combine all of the seasonings together and store them in a closed container for up to a year. Storing them longer however does affect the potency of the seasoning. Recipe…

[crowley1990]

I’m opening a tumblr restaurant. How much of a headache is my chef going to have?

[housecow]

Are you happy with your face gains?

yesss!! i’ve undeniably gained a lot in my face (it’s so much rounder and cuter now!! i have v chubby cheeks) and i’m coming to terms with having a double chin currently…

honestly. i feel like i look so much better fatter?? when i was at my lightest (like. 210) i remember feeling so insecure about my face and how it was shaped, if i had a double chin, etc… but now. i’m obsessed, i’ve rounded out and softened and it’s such!!! a good look <333

[literallyjustpicturesofmycat]

I don't think I will ever finish this project when my assistants keep sleeping on the job

[nobeerreviews]

The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart

-- Rumi

(Cluj, Romania)

[gummi-ships]

Kingdom Hearts 3 - The Final World

[scoobydoodean]

Sam Winchester in the episode where he found out John ordered Dean to kill him, everybody.

[bananastastelikeshit]

What do you mean when you say that you don't like sodium, sodium, sodium( sodium, sodium, sodium, sodium, sodium, sodium, sodium, sodium, sodium)??????????????

[testoster0ne]

chase by jake o'donnell

[mamadarama]

602 - keep your fuckass dogs on a goddamn leash sakuma

edit: i just realized this is probably not common knowledge— sodium 1080 is a very strong poison used mostly for rats but can easily kill any warm blooded animal including humans

[elementcattos]

The "lighter then air" (less dense) elements flying away mid conversation because there was a slight breeze

[short666bread]

burning the candle at both ends