Thermo Fisher Scientific tackles the ecological problem with lithium

Every sector is looking for ways to increase its sustainability performance and win the favor of customers and stakeholders.

The irony is that while electric vehicles (EVs) can reduce CO2 emissions, reduce air pollution and support the circular economy, the batteries – the heart of the vehicle – are not sustainable.

Require lithium-ion batteries mining for lithium And nickelprocesses that can lead to soil and water pollution.

Every ton of lithium extracted results in 15 tons of CO2 emissions, and it is estimated that 500,000 liters of water are needed to extract approximately 2.2 million liters per ton of lithium. This has significant environmental consequences, leading to water scarcity in already arid areas.

In addition, much of the world’s cobalt, another component of lithium-ion batteries, comes from mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been blamed for poor working conditions and child labor.

As a result, scientists are developing new chemicals for batteries, using more common and cheaper materials.

Dan Shine, president of Analytical Instruments at Thermo Fisher Scientific, says the company is making groundbreaking progress in sustainable EV initiatives

Battery science wants to replace lithium with sodium

“Researchers are exploring the use of sodium-based batteries to replace lithium-based batteries,” he says. “By using a more common and affordable element, sodium-based cells can help alleviate environmental stressors.

“Leveraging AI and other emerging technologies, we are focused on powering cutting-edge analytical technology in the laboratory and delivering end-to-end solutions that support numerous fields with greater ease and usability.”

He adds: “We are working to create technology solutions to help researchers advance the battery industry and solve today’s toughest problems and future needs.

“Our electron microscopes are an important tool to advance battery science and engineering.

“We believe that investment in battery R&D will remain strong over the next decade – and not just in universities and academic centers of excellence – but also in battery manufacturing, government and the private sector.

“We have already seen heavy investments in battery research and development to advance the technology and address global challenges such as the adoption of clean energy solutions, the expansion of batteries for electric vehicles and safer battery disposal and recycling.”

He adds that many researchers are looking to more common materials, such as sodium, to improve battery life and make battery production more sustainable.

“Low and mid nickel-nickel-manganese-cobalt variants are beginning to be phased out, while lithium ferrous phosphate is re-emerging thanks to lower costs, higher safety and packaging design improvements,” Shine explains.