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

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Efficient Power Sources, Nuclear Energy, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron and Nuclear Fusion

In today's podcast, we're going to look at boron and nuclear fusion. Is boron the key to unlocking energy via nuclear fusion? For the past 80 years, scientists have been exploring ways to capture energy, to provide an inexhaustible supply of quasi- free green energy.

Agriculture, Farming, MICRONUTRIENTS

Boron: The Micronutrient For Plants

Boron is a mineral of importance to plant growth and health; it is involved in processes like cell division, pollination, and seed production.

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.

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY, APPLICATIONS, Automotive, INDUSTRY SECTORS

Ford Boron Steel Bodywork

Automotive makers, including Ford, are taking advantage of boron's high tensile strength to build stronger, safer, and lighter cars. Boron steel is a crucial ingredient in the Ford Fiesta's pillars and structural elements and its other car brands. Boron steel is steel alloyed with small amounts of boron. It is four times higher than the average high-strength steel.

Agriculture, Alkaline Balancer, Anti Bacteria, AntI-corrosive, Anti-fungal, Crop Management, Environmental Protection, Farming, Forests and Parks, MICRONUTRIENTS, Pest Control, Wood Protection

How Boron Helps Your Garden Thrive

Micronutrients play an important role in plants' life and growth. Mineral deficiencies can lead to serious problems with the plants such as stunted growth and rougher leaves. It can also result in interveinal chlorosis of leaves, purpling of leaf margins and...

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron Energy Storage

Boron Energy Storage: The energy sector is transforming as the increased penetration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar is driving the need for energy storage solutions that can help balance the grid.

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, 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.

Batteries and Capacitors, Efficient Power Sources, Electricity Generation

Boron Powers Neodymium Magnets

What are Neodymium magnets? The answer is “Super Magnets”. Neodymium (Nd-Fe-B) are rare earth magnets are composed of neodymium, iron, boron, and a few transition metals. The elements of neodymium are classified as “rare earth” magnets because they lie in the...

ADVANCED ENERGY, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron Solar Power and Energy Efficiency

A solar cell or photovoltaic (PV) cell is made of semiconductor materials that convert sunlight into electricity. But how does it work and what role does boron play in solar cells?

Clean Fuels, DECARBONIZATION, Electricity Generation, Environmental Protection

How Boron is used to Help in Oil Recovery

Modern civilization has been heavily influenced by the discovery of petrochemicals. The entire human race is driven by this natural resource, dubbed liquid gold. Petrochemical derivatives are overwhelmingly present in our lives --- as plastic bags/wrappers that...

Environmental Protection, Nuclear Energy, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron at Fukushima

In today's podcast, we’re going to look at the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 and how Boron helps to contain the radiation and the potential spread of nuclear fallout.

Crop Management, FOOD SECURITY, Food Stability, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron Nutrients in Rice

In today's podcast, we're going to look at boron nutrients in rice plants. Boron nutrition is essential for rice growth and yield. It improves plant water relations and increases the total chlorophyll content in plants. It also enhances the kernel quality and reduces panicle sterility for rice plants.

Agriculture, Crop Management, Food Availability

Alfalfa Plant Needs A Powerful Dose Of Boron

Alfalfa plant need boron to thrive and reach their full potential. It's a trace element, but even in small amounts, it can make all the difference for this plant.

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING

Underground Mining Pursuit: Hard Rock Mining

Underground mining is a practice that delves deep for precious metals, gems and other valuable minerals. Hard rock mining venture to extract minerals from hard ore or sedimentary rocks.

ADVANCED ENERGY, SCIENCE

The Unforgettable Power Of Carbide

Carbide synthesis usually begins with synthesizing the respective metal hydride, which is then treated with carbonaceous materials to produce the carbides.

ADVANCED ENERGY

Boron Advanced Materials

Boron advanced materials have unique characteristics which make them extremely useful in multiple applications. Boron's many forms include Boron Nitride, a superior heat conductor and insulator, hexagonal boron nitride tubes, a structure with superior tensile strength, stability, and thermal conductivity, and cubic boron nitride, whose hardness characteristics is used for coating cutting tools and as grit for polishing and grinding wheels.

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.

DECARBONIZATION

Carbon-free Energy Technologies

Carbon Emission and The Greenhouse Effect Fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and oil, have fueled the modernization of global economies. While being the fundamental energy drivers for all developed and developing nations over the last century, they have...

ADVANCED ENERGY

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.

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.

Chemistry, Efficient Power Sources, SCIENCE

Electrification: The Key to a Connected World

Electrification is the process of using electricity to power something. It is essential for power systems for devices and technologies that we rely on every day. As our world becomes more interconnected, electrification will become increasingly important and Boron has a role to play.

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.

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.

Environmental Protection

Metal Recovery Using Borates

Metal recovery refers to the process of extracting precious metals from various materials. One method for metal recovery involves using boron.

Agriculture, Human Health

Canola Needs Boron to Thrive

Canola is a Brassica family member with especially high boron requirements. Boron deficiency significantly impacts seed production; yields are doubled when 2 lbs of boron per acre are applied to the canola field with no visual anomalies.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Solar

Video – Surge in Interest in the Solar Power Market

The solar power industry is soaring, moved by cost-cutting measures and government incentives encouraging the use of boron for efficient energy storage.

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.

DECARBONIZATION, Industrial emissions

Industrial Decarbonization: The Path to a Cleaner Future

Industrial decarbonization is a critical step in the fight against climate change, and boron plays an essential role in this process. It helps reduces emissions from power plants and factories, on a quest for a more sustainable future.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors

Battery Storage is The Top Climate Tech Investment

Battery storage is set to be the most in-demand climate technology investment, and this is even more promising as boron can be used in developing lithium batteries.

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.

DECARBONIZATION, Industrial emissions

FEAM: A Solution To Global Decarbonization

FEAM focuses on providing secure and reliable supplies of critical materials that empower global decarbonization and creating a better future for generations.

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.

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.

DECARBONIZATION, MINING

Boron, ESG and the Mining Industry

The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework is growing in significance for mining companies, including those involved in boron extraction. ESG is a set of practices that mines have to comply with to ensure their future sustainability. It will become an integral part of every mining operation worldwide shortly. ESG compliance is difficult for some mines because it requires them to alter their production methods or management style. However, it is not only possible but necessary.

DECARBONIZATION, Environmental Protection

Biogeochemical Cycle of Boron

The biogeochemical cycle of boron is active in three main areas: the atmosphere, terrestrial, and marine (hydrosphere). Boron is present in trace amounts in these reservoirs and plays a vital role in many geochemical processes.

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).

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.

Neodymium Magnets Coating – Protection Against Corrosion

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY

Neodymium Magnets Coating – Protection Against Corrosion

The neodymium magnet is the strongest permanent magnet available. Some coatings can help prevent corrosion and make these magnets even more powerful.

European Critical Mineral Strategy for Boron

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING

European Critical Mineral Strategy for Boron

The European Commission has a solid policy on a raw materials initiative for access to critical minerals such as Boron. Going back to 2008 the initiative was based on three pillars: a fair supply from global markets; sustainable collection; and recycling resources.

Battery Systems for Advanced Energy Management

By Borates Today | Batteries and Capacitors, Energy Management Systems, Industrial emissions

Battery Systems for Advanced Energy Management

Advanced energy Energy is the next big thing in an increasingly competitive market. The most important contributors to this are battery production, so it's time for investors and analysts to get up-to-date on their latest trends. Energy storage has been a key...

Food Hunger and Boron

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY

Food Hunger and Boron

Food Hunger and Boron: In 2020, between 720 and 811 million people faced hunger. In a world of plenty, where enough food is produced to feed everyone on the planet, hunger should be a thing of the past. However, conflict, climate change, disasters, inequality, and – most recently – the COVID-19 pandemic means one in nine people globally is still going to bed hungry, and famine looms for millions, states the World Food Programme (WFP). Boron can help to dramatically improve food yields and is a vital micronutrient in human health.

Citrus Fruits and Boron: What You Need to Know

By Borates Today | 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.

The Unforgettable Power Of Carbide

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, SCIENCE

The Unforgettable Power Of Carbide

Carbide synthesis usually begins with synthesizing the respective metal hydride, which is then treated with carbonaceous materials to produce the carbides.

The Solar Power Market is Booming

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY

The Solar Power Market is Booming

The solar power market is growing with the demand for renewable energy sources. As per the precedence research, it is estimated to grow with a 7.2% CAGR during 2022-2030.

Boron Nitride Nanotubes

By Borates Today | RESEARCH, Superconductors

Boron Nitride Nanotubes

Boron nitride nanotubes are a new material that has been studied for use in strengthening lightweight materials, such as plastics and polymers. It is also being researched for use in electronics, aerospace engineering, and medicine. The Boron Nitride Nanotubes market has grown steadily over the past few years.

Decarbonization: Implications on different Sectors

By Borates Today | DECARBONIZATION, Industrial emissions, MINING

Decarbonization: Implications on different Sectors

Decarbonization, Boron and Mining The mining and metal industry is one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world, generating a sizable percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions. How quickly has decarbonization been going on in the mining and metal...