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

Agriculture, Crop Management, FOOD SECURITY

Boron in Agriculture

The use of boron is a crucial component to farming success. Because without adequate levels, crops cannot grow or can harvest successfully. Soil with inadequate amounts of elemental boron does not provide enough nutrients that plants need to survive. Thus, it leads them into an unhealthy state which causes their growth rates to decrease immensely. This happens not just when first planted but also during maturity and harvest periods.

Boron in Foods
FOOD SECURITY, Human Health

Boron in Food

The highest levels of boron are found in plant foods, including fruit, legumes, and tubers, leafy green vegetables, kale, spinach, and non-citrus fruits. Boron can also be seen as a component of grains, fruits, nuts, prunes, raisins, and other non-citrus fruit. Boron is also found in lesser amounts in beer, wine, and cider.

Boron Magnets
ADVANCED ENERGY

Boron Magnets to Drive Powertrains

Boron is a key component for making permanent magnets. It creates stronger magnetic fields than other types of materials. Permanent magnets use boron to create the necessary poles that can be magnetized and demagnetized over and over again.

Boron in Beer
Chemistry, Food Access, Human Health

Boron in Beer

Boron can be found in beer production and in beer itself. Borax and Boron are extensively used to clean equipment in production. Now researcher have found that boron can be used to produce ammonium more efficiently.

Boron Fuel Additives
ADVANCED ENERGY, Clean Fuels, Efficient Power Sources

Fluids, Fuel, Lubricants and Additives

Fluids, Fuel, Lubricants and Additives - Boron has been proven to be an excellent lubricant for engine components. University of Utah researchers found that parts coated with boron had 50% less friction than others. This may result in significant fuel savings and increased engine durability. Boron should become an essential ingredient in fuels and engine technology once its potential benefits are further clarified.

Clean Fuels Boron - Electric Vehicles
ADVANCED ENERGY, Clean Fuels, Efficient Power Sources, Innovation

Clean Fuels Using Boron for a Cleaner Future

Boron is essential when we talk about clean fuels for ecomonical future. The Advanced Energy sector is on fire in recent years as it continues to grow and innovate new technologies. It will power our homes, cars, and businesses for generations. To combat climate change, we need to cut our reliance on fossil fuels. Renewable energy is the answer. We are now in a position where technology is advanced enough.

boron renewable energy
DECARBONIZATION

Boron Renewable Energy

Boron is an essential element of renewable energy. The use of other materials in the production process is reduced. Carbon emissions are decreased by using borates for insulation or fire-retardant purposes. Boron has many properties which make it a good candidate for this purpose. It plays a prominent role as we work to reduce our dependency on traditional methods like fossil fuels.

Boron Powers Space Exploration
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.

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Efficient Power Sources, SCIENCE

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

Every day, oral cancer is on the rise. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the main treatment options for cancer. Although surgical annihilation works well in primary tumours, it is ineffective for smaller and more accessible tumours. As a result, cancer cells may not be entirely eradicated by this method. Chemotherapy uses chemical drugs to combat cancer. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy may play a part in disease reduction. 

boron energy solutions
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.

boron thermal conductivity
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).

Boron - Micronutrients
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.

Boron Nitride Nanotubes
ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – Novel Applications in BNNTs

Today, we're going to look at novel applications using boron nitride nanotubes. Boron nitride nanotubes, or BNNTs, are mechanically and structurally identical to carbon nanotubes. BNNTs, however, have unique properties that are electrically insulating as well as transparent because of the polarized boron nitride bond.

Boron Climate Risk
DECARBONIZATION

Boron and Climate Risk

Climate change is real. The impact of the physical climate risk is already affecting the living population. Boron is a low-cost and sustainable solution to help control climate change effects. Climate researchers consider boron an essential ingredient in reducing global warming. It is helpful as a catalyst for creating one or more hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with lower greenhouse gas emissions. It is lesser than current HFCs commonly present in air conditioners, refrigerators, and other cooling devices.

Boron Fuel - 80k on 1 gram?
ADVANCED ENERGY, APPLICATIONS, Clean Fuels

Boron Fuel

Boron Fuel - While lithium-ion batteries are powering the road ahead for electric vehicles such as the Tesla S and others, several disruptive scientists and entrepreneurs are paving the way for an entirely new form of fuel – Hydrogen Boron fuel. Analysts claim a single gram of Boron could provide enough fuel to allow a vehicle to travel 80,000 kilometres.

Borates in Adhesives
ADVANCED ENERGY, Efficient Power Sources

Borates in Adhesives

Borates in Adhesives: Borates are used for home and commercial use. For commercial use, they are commonly used in adhesives by the paperboard and corrugated paper industries. The primary chemical compounds for adhesive applications are sodium decahydrate, borax decahydrate, and boric acid.

Ensuring Micronutrient Boron Supply

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.

9 Key Future Technologies Boron and Borates

9 Key Future Technologies Boron and Borates

Borates are ubiquitous, in that they exist all over the world. It is not unusual to find them anywhere from natural waters and soils on earth where plants grow. For most plant life cannot survive without boron, it's important for humans as well to take care of this element by regulating their use of fertilizers with potassium or sodium nitrate which can affect soil pH levels. Borates are also essential to a vast array of products we use on an everyday basis.

Boron and Micro-Supercapacitors

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.