PLANET BORON

We have only one planet. Resources are finite, and it is our joint responsibility to take action to make the world a better place for future generations. Planet Boron is an initiative by Borates Today to harness the strengths and benefits of one of the world's most precious resources - BORON - and publish news and events about boron's availability, applications, benefits for achieving the collective vision and shared goals as we embrace multiple goals related to four key areas: Decarbonization; Advanced Energy, Food Security and Micronutrients.

DECARBONIZATION

ADVANCED ENERGY

FOOD SECURITY

MICRONUTRIENTS

Carbon Cycle, DECARBONIZATION, Energy Management, Environmental Protection

Boron Reduces Carbon Dioxide

Boron reduces carbon dioxide: Boron is one such amazing catalyst that reduces CO2 in the presence of only water and light irradiation. This serves as a foundation for a new and more efficient method of transforming CO2 into a usable carbon source for manufacturing fuels and chemicals.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors

LFP Batteries: High-Performance Batteries

LFP batteries have been around since the late 1990s. Still, it is only now making its way into North America and Europe by redefining the market for batteries and EVs.

FOOD SECURITY, MICRONUTRIENTS

Ensuring Micronutrient Boron Supply

Famine is a natural disaster that occurs in underdeveloped countries, famine areas, and war-torn regions. In these regions, micronutrients such as boron are scarce or unavailable to the local population. The lack of micronutrients leads to malnutrition which can cause poverty and other issues such as disease and death. Here is a discussion on the importance of micronutrients for famine relief efforts. Check out their benefits for mental health, physical health, and economic development.

Crop Management, Food Availability, FOOD SECURITY

Crop Management – How Boron Promotes Food Availability

ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors, Energy Management

Boron and Micro-Supercapacitors

Boron nitride (BN) has shown great potential for microelectronics in the architecture of micro-supercapacitors. Boron Nitride has a large bandgap (5.5eV), superior thermal stability, and high thermal conductance. Boron Micro-supercapacitors in the laboratory exhibit high energy density. They can also withstand harsh environments such as high temperature or electromagnetic interference much better than silicon-based micro capacitors.

FOOD SECURITY, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron and Food Security

In today's podcast, we're going to look at boron and food security. Boron plays a considerable role in food utilization, principally by improving the nutritional value of fertilizers for plant growth development. It also increases crop yield through increased nitrogen fixation rates in soils deficient in micronutrients.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Electricity Generation

Power Sector Faces Advanced Energy Challenges

ADVANCED ENERGY, Aerospace, Defense

Boron: The Holy Grail of Aerospace and Defense

Agriculture, FOOD SECURITY

Sustainable Farming: 5 Tips For A Greener Future

Sustainable farming is an approach to agriculture that focuses on producing food in an environmentally sustainable way. There are various such practices that are explained in the article.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Efficient Power Sources

How Borophene was Discovered by Accident

Boron-based Furan polymers are a new class of renewable energy materials based on boron. These materials can provide portable energy sources, serve as catalysts in chemical reactions, and can potentially be used as electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries. They are also highly biodegradable.

Agriculture, FOOD SECURITY

Boron Steel In Agriculture

Boron steel is a material that modern agricultural and industrial machinery manufacturers rely on to produce devices of the highest quality.

Agriculture, FOOD SECURITY

Citrus Fruits and Boron: What You Need to Know

Citrus fruits are an important part of many diets. Boron is a trace element used to produce citrus fruits for plant development and preserve consistent fruit yield and quality.

Chemistry, Crop Management, SCIENCE

How Toxic is Boron?

How toxic is Boron? Despite its low toxicity, boron can still be dangerous to humans if consumed in large amounts. It is well-known that excess boron can also affect plant growth and reproduction. In fact, toxicity of boron is considered one of the major causes of reduced crop production. In plants, high concentrations of boron can retard vegetative growth and decrease seed set.

Food Availability, FOOD SECURITY, Human Health

Food Security Policies for Developing Nations

Developing nations must insure they have policies and practices that insure the supply of Boron and Borates for the Food Security. Boron and Borates are central to crop yield, nutrition value and the health of nations and hence Security of it people.

Food Availability, FOOD SECURITY

Gender Inequality In The Face of Food Insecurity

Gender inequality contributes significantly to food insecurity. Boron is an essential micronutrient that aids in the improvement of food security and, there are implications for gender equality by increasing agricultural production efficiencies.

Agriculture, Crop Management

Boron Deficiency In Woody Plants

Boron deficiency is widespread around the globe and constrains the growth and development of agriculture and forestry due to the lack of Boron in soil. Trees have a large body size, longer lifespan, and more Boron reserves than herbaceous plants, implying that woody species are more likely to suffer from long-term or mild Boron deficiency.

DECARBONIZATION, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron and Decarbonization in the Chemicals Industry

Boron and Decarbonization: To reduce their carbon footprint and make the world cleaner, many chemical industry companies are embracing decarbonization strategies. What can the chemical sector do to contribute significantly to climate change by reducing greenhouse gases from the chemicals manufactured using fossil fuels?

Today, we will review current practices and regulations in an industry-wide drive to meet goals and look at how the latest technological breakthroughs play a pivotal role in shifting toward more sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Agriculture, Batteries and Capacitors, Crop Management

Discover Electric Car Batteries

Electric vehicle batteries are rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles over a sustained period and are deep cycle batteries.

Anti Bacteria, Anti-fungal, APPLICATIONS, BENEFITS, Biocides, Forests and Parks, Pest Control, Wood Protection

Boron the Super Saviour of Wooden Products

DECARBONIZATION

Carbon-free Energy Technologies

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – The Solar Power Market is Red Hot

The solar power market is growing with the demand for renewable energy sources.

Agriculture

Creeping Charlie with Borax: The Best Weedkiller

Creeping Charlie weed is difficult to eliminate, but borax can kill the plant's roots, preventing it from spreading, and taking over lawns or gardens.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Nuclear Energy

Boron and Chernobyl

Boron (B₁₀), which comprises about 20% of elemental boron, is one of the best neutron absorbers. It is dissolved in the cooling water of power plants to control the chain reaction, to absorb enough neutrons to remove excess reactivity in PWR plants. In both BWRs and PWRs, it is used in control rods to control reactivity and change the power shape of the core.

FOOD SECURITY

Food Security: Concepts and Policy Approaches

DECARBONIZATION

Boron in Bioconversion

Rio Tinto Mine. The Serbian government has finally revoked Rio Tinto's licenses for lithium exploration in Serbia in the latter part of January 2022. The government gave in to the protesters who have been opposed to the Anglo-Australian mining company's project on environmental grounds. Last year, the company committed to the project as global miners push for metals necessary to transition to green energy. This includes lithium which is used in the production of electric vehicle batteries. The project was already suspended in December 2021 due to environmental deterioration and forced displacement concerns.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors

Sodium Ion Battery Facts You Need To Know

Sodium ion battery is a new kind of battery being developed to meet the ever-growing demands of electric vehicles and has lower cost and improved safety.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Innovation, RESEARCH

Boron Monosulfide Nanosheets

Boron monosulfide nanosheets may provide efficient energy sources in applications including batteries, catalysts, and electronic devices. Boron monosulfide nanosheets unique structures, giving them exciting superconducting, thermoelectric properties.

Batteries and Capacitors, INDUSTRY SECTORS

Boron in Electronic Devices

Boron-infused components and advance materials are being used by electronics manufactures in many ways to improve and enhance consumer and industrial electrical devices. Boron in electronic and smart devices offer a longer product life, provide better energy performance – longer battery life -, give off less heat, offer low resistance protection against electrical currents, are wear-resistant, and act as protective coatings and add strength to metals and glass.

ADVANCED ENERGY

Ammonia Borane Powers Space Exploration

Ammonia Borane is an excellent choice for rocket fuel given its ease of manufacture, availability, and low storage costs. It is also a good additive for jet fuel. Scientists at the University of California Riverside are testing ammonia borane, NH3BH3, as an alternative to traditional carbon-based chemical rocket fuels. This could lead to carbon-free space launches.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Clean Fuels, Efficient Power Sources, Energy Management, Energy Management Systems, Innovation, RESEARCH

Graphene and Boron – a Mighty Combination

The materials of the future is here now! Boron doped Graphene (B-G) happens to be developed as an anode product for lithium-ion batteries!

FOOD SECURITY, Human Health

Boron in Coffee

Coffee is one of the most susceptible crops to boron shortage. Boron in coffee is needed for coffee cultivation to improve yield and support healthy growth via cell divisions and cell wall formation in association with calcium, water uptake, roots growth, growth of internodes, setting, calcium uptake, lower aluminum toxicity, and drought resistance.

Efficient Power Sources, Electricity Generation, Innovation, RESEARCH

Boron – The Secret Behind New Battery Formats

ADVANCED ENERGY

Nuclear Energy and Boron

We live in a world where the environment is constantly going through changes. This is because we are running out of fossil fuels, and all it takes for our society to collapse is one more natural disaster. Therefore, the invention of new materials that facilitate the mission statement of a low carbon future is essential in today's day and age to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels.

DECARBONIZATION, Industrial emissions

Boron as an energy carrier to increase efficiency

Automotive, Batteries and Capacitors

Elon Musk Tesla Open to Buying a Mining Company

Tesla is willing to buy a mining company if it means facilitating the global adoption of clean energy technologies,” says CEO Elon Musk.

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING

FEAM And Solar Energy Systems

5E Advanced Materials, Inc. (“5E”) (Nasdaq: FEAM)(ASX: 5EA) has signed a research agreement with Boston College to explore the creation of innovative solar energy systems to help make renewable energy more affordable and accessible.

ADVANCED ENERGY, APPLICATIONS, Efficient Power Sources

Boron Rocket Fuel

Boron Rocket Fuel: Boron has a high intrinsic energy density. It is inexpensive, plentiful, and stable, making it a good choice for solid rocket fuels and an additive for jet fuels to increase their energy output. However, the oxide shell and its impurities make boron unreliable at the ignition point. Research is ongoing into overcoming these impurities so that boron fuel may be used more widely in space travel.

ADVANCED ENERGY, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron Market the Threat of a Shortage

Podcast - With new applications demanding boron’s use in decarbonisation and green energy, as well as the traditional applications related to agriculture feeds and commercial applications for glass and ceramic ware, boron is becoming increasingly valuable as a strategic mineral.

Boron and Battery production BNNT Boron Nitrate Nanotubes

ADVANCED ENERGY, INVEST IN BORON

Demand Surges for Boron from Battery Producers

The clean energy shift is happening, and it’s more than just an environmental movement. As more people turn to renewable sources of power, the demand for battery minerals is increasing exponentially worldwide. Boron, lithium, and graphite are essential minerals seeing increased share prices because of this trend.

DECARBONIZATION, MINING

Rio Tinto Decarbonization

Rio Tinto announced a $7.5 billion plan to reduce carbon emissions to 50% by 2030 in October 2021. Rio Tinto stated that it aimed to reduce carbon emissions by half by 2020 as steel and iron ore producers push for compliance with international climate commitments. Rio pushed forward its 2020 target for a 15% reduction of emissions from 2018, five years earlier than it had previously planned.

Pomegranate Fruit and Boron

By Borates Today | Agriculture, Crop Management

Pomegranate Fruit and Boron

Pomegranate fruit is an excellent source of vitamins C and K, antioxidants, and other minerals. However, the fruit may lose its quality due to fruit cracking. This is due to inadequate water management or lacking essential micronutrients such as boron and calcium.

Boron and Hydropower

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, Efficient Power Sources, SCIENCE

Boron and Hydropower

Boron inclusive technology shows how we can harness the power from seawater to bring zero-carbon energy worldwide. Decarbonization has been a goal for quite some time, and it seems like this year, governments will finally agree on stricter regulations that would make it possible to achieve this objective by 2050 or sooner. Boron has been working to bring sustainable energy sources for all, and Boron and Hydropower technology is an excellent example of achieving this goal.

Podcast – Boron Fertilisers

By Borates Today | Agriculture, FOOD SECURITY, Food Stability, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron Fertilisers

Today, we're going to look at the role of fertilizers in agriculture and in food security. The worldwide fertilizer market, which includes boron fertilizers is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 1.6, 9% up to 2027.

LFP Batteries: High-Performance Batteries

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors

LFP Batteries: High-Performance Batteries

LFP batteries have been around since the late 1990s. Still, it is only now making its way into North America and Europe by redefining the market for batteries and EVs.

Boron Salts for Batteries

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors, RESEARCH

Boron Salts for Batteries

Boron salts for batteries is part of ongoing studies into boron's use to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Boron salts and boron nanotubes are two new materials being developed for use in Li-ion and Li-S batteries.

Lithium Battery Pack Prices Set to Soar

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors

Lithium Battery Pack Prices Set to Soar

Lithium battery packs have skyrocketed in price over the past two years, and this surge looks poised to continue with no signs of subsiding through 2023.

Boric Acid in Energy Storage Systems

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, Efficient Power Sources, Energy Management, Energy Management Systems

Boric Acid in Energy Storage Systems

Energy storage is a key piece of the puzzle in easing energy transition, and a new system developed by scientists at TU Wien can store a large amount of energy in an eco-friendly way.

Food Security: Concepts and Policy Approaches

By Borates Today | FOOD SECURITY

Food Security: Concepts and Policy Approaches

Boron Nitride Powers Thermal Conductivity

By Borates Today | Energy Management, RESEARCH

Boron Nitride Powers Thermal Conductivity

Boron nitride, also known as "white graphite," is a semiconductor material that conducts electricity. It is chemically inert and electrically insulating with no bandgap in the bulk phase that would allow it to emit light when excited by an energy source. Because of its excellent thermal conductivity properties, layers of boron nitride are often added onto other materials like silicon carbide (SiC) for use in high-efficiency power devices like thermoelectric cooler packages (TECs).

Podcast – Solar Cells: The Science of Solar Energy

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, Efficient Power Sources, Energy Management, Energy Management Systems, PODCASTS

Podcast – Solar Cells: The Science of Solar Energy

In today's podcast, we're going to look at the science of solar energy with solar cells. A solar cell, also called a photovoltaic cell or PV, is the basic building block of a solar power system. It's made up of semiconductor materials that convert sunlight into electricity. But how does it all work? And what role does boron play in solar cells?