2023-10-20 12:35:00
Chinese researchers have discovered a new material that might transform their battery industry. In the world’s largest deposit of rare minerals, Bayan Obo, located in Inner Mongolia, geologists found a raw material called “niobobaotite”, bringing a combination of chemical elements that include niobium.
Niobium is a rare metal that is often used in the steel industry, standing out for its ability to make iron materials significantly lighter and stronger. 95% of China’s niobium demand is imported from countries like Brazilwhich is the country with the largest supply of the chemical element in the world, followed by Canada.
A characteristic of niobium that draws the attention of battery manufacturers is its superconducting and stable properties, ensuring greater resistance to energy storage cells. With the discovery of niobobaotite, China might become self-sufficient in niobium production and reduce or eliminate its dependence on imports.
In addition to the rare metal, niobobaotite is composed of barium, chlorine, iron and titanium. Its clusters range in size from 20 to 80 centimeters. This is the 13th newly discovered mineral in the country since the establishment of China’s nuclear geological system, as disclosed by the geologists responsible for the discovery to Asian media.
Tech
21 Mar
Economy and market
09 Mar
Antonio H. Castro Neto, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the National University of Singapore, says this might be a major advance for China’s domestic economy. “Depending on the volume and quantity of niobium, China might become self-sufficient,” said the expert.
We have made significant progress in our development of niobium-graphene batteries that are proving to be a game-changer in safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Antonio H. Castro Neto
China is one of the countries seeking to innovate in the battery sector, and to this end, it has collaborations with Brazil. Tiago Amaral, environmental manager at Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM), highlights that the advantages of using niobium combined with graphene should especially benefit the growing electric car industry.
Researchers believe that the Performance retention of niobium-graphene batteries can be up to ten times greater than traditional lithium-ion versionsmaking them last around 30 years.
Niobobaotite has received committee approval from the International Mineralogical Association, according to the China National Nuclear Corporation, a state-owned company responsible for overseeing nuclear programs for China’s civil and military areas.
1697828444
#China #discovers #rare #nibium #mineral #boost #battery #technology
