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

Boron Deficiency in Woody Plants
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.

Borates Today Hydrogen Boron Fusion
Energy Management, RESEARCH

Hydrogen Boron Fusion – Creating New Energy

Hydrogen-Boron 11 fusion -Boron Hydrogen Fusion - has always been the ultimate fusion reaction. It does not create radioactive waste and its fuels are both abundant in nature and non-radioactive. Few other researchers had studied this reaction as it was considered scientifically too difficult. The temperatures required to ignite the reaction are more than 100 times higher than that of the sun – a technical hurdle that has held back practical energy generation for decades.

Boron, Lithium - Sustainable Mining
DECARBONIZATION, MINING

Balancing Habitat versus Critical Mineral Mining

Balancing Habitat versus Critical Mineral Mining: Lithium and boron are two examples of crucial minerals essential in reducing our planet's carbon footprint for industries such as defense, automotive, construction, aviation, and aerospace. It is challenging to preserve the natural environment when starting new mines to extract these resources. How do companies such as Rio Tinto, American Pacific Borates (currently rebranding to 5E Advanced Materials), and Ioneer manage this dilemma and obtain the permits necessary in their respective locations?

Vegetable Garden
APPLICATIONS, Biocides, FOOD SECURITY

Vegetable Garden: An Ultimate Guide To Using Boron

Gardeners looking to add boron to their vegetable garden can do so in various ways. This helpful mineral plays a vital role in plant growth and development and can help improve overall yields. Learn how to add boron to the vegetable garden. Understand the benefits that this mineral can provide not only in the soil but also in the transportation and nutritional value boron brings to garden vegetables, and plants for that matter.

Pomegranate Fruit
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-based Polymers for EV Storage
FOOD SECURITY, Innovation, RESEARCH, SCIENCE

Boron-based Polymers for EV Storage

Boron-based Polymers for EV Storage: Boron-based Polymers to Improve Electric Vehicle Energy Storage: Boron-based polymers such as BNNTs are 2D nanomaterials with excellent properties for improving electric vehicle energy storage given their high surface areas, large aspect ratios, and good thermal conductivities. Borates Today examines the potential for use of BNNTs in electric vehicle transmissions and batteries.

Solar Cell
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?

Nissan Advanced Energy
ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors

Advanced Energy – Nissan EV Battery Move

Nissan is currently the only automaker with a complete lineup of electric vehicles, including full-electric cars, plug-in hybrids, and zero-emission light commercial vehicles. The company’s goal is to be an industry leader in advanced energy and zero-emission mobility by 2030. As a leader in developing new battery technologies to improve efficiency and power for their lineup of vehicles, use of rare earth metals and near rare earth metals such as boron and lithium is at the heart of the battery power program. But batteries have a limited lifespan. Once it comes to recycling, there is too much waste. Nissan is tackling this problem with Waseda University to produce breakthrough innovations in Electric Vehicles technology.

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 Nanotubes
ADVANCED ENERGY, RESEARCH

Boron Nanotubes BNNT Stability for Electronics

The Boron Nitrate Nanotube is a novel material with unique properties, including high thermal conductivity and chemical stability. It has been used in many applications such as heat transfer fluids, lubricants, coatings for semiconductors, catalysts, etc., but its use in batteries was not explored until recently. The first report of the application of BNNTs in Li-ion batteries appeared only in 2020.

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.

Fluids, Fuel, Lubricants and Additives

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 Using Boron for a Cleaner Future

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 Rewrites the Rules for the Automotive Industry

Boron Rewrites the Rules for the Automotive Industry

With electric vehicles becoming more popular, new material is needed for battery electrodes that can accommodate these changes. Boron is an excellent candidate because of its ability to efficiently transmit electrons while also being lightweight and inexpensive. It's not just used in batteries; it's also used as a coolant for engines and brakes, as well as a strengthening agent for steel alloys. 

U.S. Renewable Energies Strategy to Benefit Boron and Lithium

U.S. Renewable Energies Strategy to Benefit Boron and Lithium

U.S. Government Doubles Down on Renewable Energies Strategy to Secure Boron, Lithium MetalThe U.S. Government continues to assure mining producers that it is determined to secure strategic minerals such as Boron and Lithium for EV production and other advanced energy needs as these sectors are poised to grow significantly in the coming decade. The Biden administration is looking even more closely at approving domestic sources of electric battery vehicle metals such as boron and lithium.