The extraction of resources to create batteries, often from ecologically sensitive areas, scars the Earth—not to mention that the mining process of cobalt for lithium-ion batteries is riddled with humanitarian issues. But the damage doesn't stop there; battery manufacturing releases toxins into our air and water, and improper disposal of used batteries is terrible for the environment.
The Need for Better BatteriesCurrent battery technology struggles to meet our growing demand for clean and portable power. These limitations stem primarily from issues with: Sustainability: beyond the ethical concerns surrounding cobalt mining for lithium-ion batteries lies another critical issue: cobalt scarcity. Relying on scarce resources creates an unsustainable cycle, leading to increasing costs and environmental damage as demand rises.
Farrell dials 311 for issues near schools The mayoral candidates wants The City to prioritize 311 calls near schools Furthermore, another research project by Dr. Hyde explored using sodium and potassium ions instead of lithium for intercalation in a layered material called Ta2PdS6. This intercalation process yielded two new phases: NaTa2PdS6 and KTa2PdS6 . Notably, the volume of these new materials increased significantly by up to 33.2% for the potassium-intercalated version.
Longer-lasting electronics: Dr. Hyde's research on material changes during intercalation holds promise for new battery materials that reduce electronic waste. By studying how various materials respond to intercalation, Dr. Hyde seeks to discover entirely new materials with even greater expansion and lithium storage capabilities, leading to batteries with significantly longer lifespans and faster charging times.