Global Climate News

US-based researchers at the University of Houston and collaborators in France have developed a new material for sodium-ion batteries, sodium vanadium phosphate (NaxV2(PO4)3), that increases energy density by more than 15%, to 458 watt-hours per kilogram. This makes sodium-ion batteries a more sustainable and affordable alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to sodium's lower cost and abundance. The new material's unique properties allow for a continuous voltage of 3.7 volts, improving efficiency.

Switzerland-based ETH Zurich has made several breakthrough developments in climate and sustainability technologies in 2024. These include a new light-based CO2 capture solution, improved lithium metal batteries for EVs, a solar thermal trap for high-temperature industrial processes, efficient rare earth metal recovery from e-waste, and an iron-ore based hydrogen storage system. The university has also found that direct air carbon capture remains twice as expensive as previously estimated.

Researchers have developed a new carbon anode material for sodium-ion batteries using low-cost anthracite and boron quantum dots. The novel material demonstrates high discharge capacity, reversible capacity, and superior long-term cycling stability over 1000 cycles, representing a significant advancement in energy storage technology.

Researchers have developed a new all-vanadium-based lithium-ion battery using hierarchical micro-nano yolk-shell structure V2O5 and V2O3 as cathode and anode. The new battery design demonstrates higher capacities than conventional cathodes and shows good cycle performance with stable charge/discharge abilities at large current densities.

China-based researchers from Dalian University of Technology have developed a novel bread-like Si/C composite with a yolk-double shell structure for lithium-ion batteries. The new silicon-based anode material demonstrates exceptional stability with 868.1 mAh/g capacity after 500 cycles and low electrode expansion rate of 31%, representing a significant advancement in energy storage technology.

Researchers have developed a new flexible sensor technology using silicon nanowire arrays decorated with silver nanoparticles for detecting pesticide residues. The advanced sensor system can detect methyl parathion pesticide at extremely low concentrations (10⁻9 M) on curved surfaces, representing a breakthrough in environmental monitoring technology.

South Korean researchers from Dongguk University and Inha University have developed a novel hierarchical heterostructure (Pt@SnS2/MXene) for detecting volatile organic compounds at room temperature. The new sensor technology demonstrates high sensitivity, selectivity and humidity tolerance for NH3 detection, with potential applications in environmental monitoring and wearable electronics.

A novel hydrated salt composite phase change material was synthesized by adsorbing hydrated salts into expanded graphite pores and encapsulating them with silicone rubber. This composite exhibited high enthalpy, insulating properties, flame retardancy, and flexibility, making it suitable for lithium-ion battery thermal management. The material maintained a battery surface temperature below 40°C at a 3C charging rate, indicating its potential value in enhancing thermal safety.

Researchers have developed new environmentally friendly near-infrared phosphors based on Fe3+ ions in garnet crystals (Sr3(Sc/Lu/Y)2Ge3O12:Fe3+). The materials demonstrate dual-band NIR luminescence with potential applications in temperature sensing, showing a maximum relative sensitivity of 1.24%K−1 at 155 K. This advancement represents a significant step in developing sustainable optical materials.