Sodium-ion battery breakthrough. Safer, cheaper and cleaner than Lithium-ion

I'm currently doing my PhD on sodium metal batteries and have been making my own Prussian Blue cathodes (more stable but lower performance than Prussian White). It's so great that sodium-ion is starting to break into the commercial market because I really think there are a lot of applications where lithium technologies are not the best option (e.g. stationary storage). However, I don't agree that Prussian White is non-toxic, using Prussian Blue safety data sheet (as they are the same type of compound, just with more or less sodium); Prussian Blue/White has a toxicity and body contact score of 2 (it is toxic through skin, mouth, and inhalation), so it's not the worst... but really not "non-toxic".

I love innovations that help reduce scarcity and environmental harm. This seems like just that. Also, even if it weighs too much for mobile applications, it could still be useful for home batteries or grid-scale batteries, which would be great.

Thank you for your report. In the 1980s and 1990s there were considerable efforts to develop Na-based batteries for cars. However, these were high temperature systems working at 270-400°C. And the ceramic electrolyte was expensive to produce. So the development was stopped in the late 1990s. Having taken part in these developments I am even more enthusiastic about the work at CATL. I really hope they will succeed.

Batteries nearly as energy dense as the current Li ion/ Co batteries without these soon to be scarce and expensive metals could really be a game changer. Just when development has reached a roadblock, a breakthrough happens. Affordable EV's for everyman and utility scale energy storage can't come soon enough if we are to save the planet. Wonderful!

You do a terrific job of bringing us worthwhile information on technichal breakthroughs and totally relevant subjects in aninteresting clear and cocise format. I thank you very much

massive wind/solar farm, feeding massive de-salination plant, feeding raw materials for massive sodium ion battery plant. probably needs some more detailed drawings for this design, but that's it in a nutshell ;)

"maintain a capacity as high as 95% after 10,000 cycles" If true, this will completely change grid energy. Even discharging fully every day, the batteries would maintain 95% capacity for more than 25 years, which is insane. Now imagine if we spent as much on sodium ion battery tech as lithium tech and what kinds of breakthroughs would be possible. I also cannot help but consider that this type of technology has the potential to take away the power of so many oppressive states that profit from our use of fossil fuels.

I've seen a huge, multi pronged movement on batteries using sodium from big, established companies like this and also from various science experiments across the world, and I like where they're going

I don’t have an electric car yet … but I love the idea that Sodium-ion batteries are, “cheaper,” and “less toxic,” and “more thermally stable,” than Lithium-ion. All of those are excellent improvements! 🤩👍

My first thought was "hey, this is a use for the concentrated brine waste from desalination plants" which woud add to their commercial viability

I love your ramblings, you always site your information and present these fascinating tech updates in bite sized digestible chunks.

Just have to say as an engineer you said everything you can in this video. You deserve an award. This is one of the greatest products of the century if it works as stated.

Love your videos!! Very informative, easy to understand and very important topics.

Thanks for the work. I read energy articles online when I have time but of course the push system used bases suggested articles on history and thus limits article scope. Alternate sources like this are a great way of getting better coverage.

I love the detail that you delve into every subject that you make these great informative videos on.

Best battery charge/discharge graphic I've seen. Great job!

Might be all the sodium but I'm salivating at the thought of more stable microgrid batteries with less concern for environmental impact when things potentially go horribly wrong.

Great vid Dave, as always. Sound environmental arguments for the change to sodium, and of course cheaper. Sounds like a serious challenge to LFP. Lithium seems a likely fizzer now, because of the cost and limited availability.

This is the first show of yours that YT showed me and, being kind of a nerd, I watched it. Great job. I'll have to listen to some of your other shows (later) and if I enjoy them as much as this, I'll subscribe.

Thank you for giving me hope each week. I always look forward to your reports. Be well.