Scientists Say Soil-Like Material Can Be Used to Produce Batteries
2021-10-17
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1Scientists in Estonia say they have found a way to use a soil-like material to produce batteries.
2The material is peat, a dark substance made of decomposed plants.
3Peat is widely available in areas across northern Europe.
4Researchers from Estonia's Tartu University say they have found a way to use peat in sodium-ion batteries.
5This kind of battery is one of several new technologies being considered to replace widely used lithium-ion batteries.
6Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones to computers to electric vehicles.
7Sodium-ion technology reduces the cost of the battery production process.
8This is because the batteries contain sodium instead of costly materials such as lithium, cobalt or nickel.
9Enn Lust is head of the Institute of Chemistry at Tartu University.
10He told reporters with Reuters news agency that peat "doesn't cost anything, really."
11The battery-making process includes heating the decomposed peat to a high temperature for two to three hours.
12The university is seeking government support to finance a small factory in Estonia to test the technology.
13Peat is commonly found in wet areas known as bogs.
14It is used by whisky makers in Scotland.
15Some northern European countries use the material to fuel factories and homes.
16It is also added to soil to help plants grow.
17During the collection process, bogs are drained to mine peat.
18Trapped carbon dioxide is released into the air.
19This has raised environmental concerns.
20But the Estonian scientists say their process uses decomposed peat.
21This a waste product of traditional collection methods.
22It is usually thrown away.
23Lukasz Bednarski is a battery materials expert.
24He told Reuters that sodium-ion batteries using peat will need to prove to be profitable and easily produced in large numbers.
25In July, China's CATL became the first major automotive battery maker to release a sodium-ion battery.
26Bednarski said, "I think that companies will increasingly try to commercialize the sodium-ion battery, especially after the CATL announcement."
27He added that less powerful sodium-ion batteries are likely to be used together with lithium-ion technology to bring down the overall cost of battery systems.
28I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Scientists in Estonia say they have found a way to use a soil-like material to produce batteries. 2The material is peat, a dark substance made of decomposed plants. Peat is widely available in areas across northern Europe. 3Researchers from Estonia's Tartu University say they have found a way to use peat in sodium-ion batteries. This kind of battery is one of several new technologies being considered to replace widely used lithium-ion batteries. 4Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones to computers to electric vehicles. 5Sodium-ion technology reduces the cost of the battery production process. This is because the batteries contain sodium instead of costly materials such as lithium, cobalt or nickel. 6Enn Lust is head of the Institute of Chemistry at Tartu University. He told reporters with Reuters news agency that peat "doesn't cost anything, really." 7The battery-making process includes heating the decomposed peat to a high temperature for two to three hours. The university is seeking government support to finance a small factory in Estonia to test the technology. 8Peat is commonly found in wet areas known as bogs. It is used by whisky makers in Scotland. Some northern European countries use the material to fuel factories and homes. It is also added to soil to help plants grow. 9During the collection process, bogs are drained to mine peat. Trapped carbon dioxide is released into the air. This has raised environmental concerns. But the Estonian scientists say their process uses decomposed peat. This a waste product of traditional collection methods. It is usually thrown away. 10Lukasz Bednarski is a battery materials expert. He told Reuters that sodium-ion batteries using peat will need to prove to be profitable and easily produced in large numbers. 11In July, China's CATL became the first major automotive battery maker to release a sodium-ion battery. 12Bednarski said, "I think that companies will increasingly try to commercialize the sodium-ion battery, especially after the CATL announcement." 13He added that less powerful sodium-ion batteries are likely to be used together with lithium-ion technology to bring down the overall cost of battery systems. 14I'm Bryan Lynn. 15Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 16We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 17_____________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19decompose - v. to decay and gradually become destroyed 20battery - n. an object that provides and stores electricity for things 21commercialize - v. to organize something to make a profit 22whisky - n. a strong alcoholic drink made from grain 23replace - v. to start using another thing instead of the one that was being used before