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

Boron And Decarbonization

ADVANCED ENERGY

10 Linear Boron Nitride

FOOD SECURITY

13 Boron Natural Food

MICRONUTRIENTS

Pure Boron Seedling
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 - 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.

Renewable Energies and Boron
ADVANCED ENERGY

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.

Nissan Advanced Energy
ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors

Nissan EV Battery

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 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 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.

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.

Boron, Powering Advanced energy
DECARBONIZATION

Decarbonization and Boron

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.

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ADVANCED ENERGY, INDUSTRY SECTORS

Boron and U.S. Rare Earths

The U.S. is boosting the stockpile of its rare earth minerals such as cobalt and lithium. Why? Partly to reduce dependence on China and partly to have a strategic policy towards rare earth sourcing and distribution. Rare earths are valuable resources used in E.V. batteries and decarbonization. What is the stance on boron and U.S. rare earths as a critical mineral?

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?

Boron and Nuclear Fusion
ADVANCED ENERGY, DECARBONIZATION, MINING

Boron and Nuclear Fusion

Boron and nuclear fusion: Is Boron the key to Unlocking Energy via Nuclear Fusion? For the past eighty years, scientists have been exploring ways to capture energy to provide an inexhaustible supply of quasi-free, green energy. Boron via laser technologies, may finally provide the key to moving beyond the laboratory to commercialisation.

Boron in Plants
Agriculture, FOOD SECURITY

Boron on the Farm

Boron in farming- Boron has long been associated with crops like beet and brassicas and it is important for all crops but at different levels This article first appeared in The Famers Journal on 13 December, 2021 and appears on Borates Today by permission. © Andy Doyle, The Farmers Journal https://farmersjournal.ie Boron on the Farm

carbon footprint
DECARBONIZATION

Boron and Carbon Footprint

Boron carbon footprint - A major problem in the world today is climate change and it has been a long-debated topic. Some people are convinced that it is not happening, while others think the world is doomed to an uninhabitable fate. The truth is that climate change is happening and we must reduce its impact on our lives.  The Earth's temperature has been increasing over time, and this will have a major impact on our planet. 

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.

Sodium and Boron Batteries
ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors

Boron in Green Sodium Batteries

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.

Boron and Hydropower

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.

Double-Layer Borophene Created in Engineering Breakthrough

Double-Layer Borophene Created in Engineering Breakthrough

Research has led to a double-layer of borophene for the first time. This is significant because it could lead to faster, more efficient electronics that are also smaller and lighter than current models. Borophene is under study for less than 10 years but already holds potential as an exciting new material in engineering. The research team hopes that this will be the first step towards creating "graphene on steroids."