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

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.

FOOD SECURITY

Food Insecurity: The Crisis For America

The food insecurity problem in America has been plaguing the country for years. Boron will help combat this issue and promote better nutrition.

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.

FOOD SECURITY

What is Food Security

"Food security is a condition that exists when all people have, at all times, physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life." The Rome Declaration on World Food Security and the World Food Summit Plan of Action.

MICRONUTRIENTS, PODCASTS

Podcast – Pregnancy Diet and Boron

Today, we're going to talk about adding boron to the pregnancy diet. This can provide substantial health benefits both for the mother and baby.

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – Turkey and Boron

Today, we're going to look at Turkey and Boron. Turkey is the world's largest producer of boron through the government-owned Eti Maden. With enough reserves to cover global demand for the next 500 years, Turkey stands first in market share, manufactures, and markets 62% of the world's boron.

Agriculture, Crop Management, DECARBONIZATION, Environmental Protection, Farming, Food Access, Food Availability, Food Stability, Food Utilization, Forests and Parks, Human Health, RESEARCH

Boron – The Building Block of Urbanization

Boron is a metal useful to modern societies for over 100 years. It is most commonly available as borax in household cleaning products. Or, as the boric acid in eye drops and mouthwashes. However, it has many other uses in urbanization. It is present in construction...

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

Critical Raw Materials: Decarbonization and Digitalization

Critical raw materials (CRMs) are a group of key materials essential for the EU's economy and society to function. They are used in various strategic technologies and sectors, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, defense, healthcare and consumer electronics.

Food Availability, FOOD SECURITY

Food Security: Availability of Food with Boron

With food prices reaching all-time highs and the global population continuing to grow, ensuring food security is a top priority for many governments. This blog post will discuss the physical availability of food on a national and global level, how it can be...

Agriculture, Crop Management

Boron Fertilizer and Corn Plant Yield

The corn plant is a popular houseplant for its attractive and shiny leaves. Corn is a major food source for humans and animals and is used to manufacture many products, including biofuels. But did you know that a corn plant needs boron to grow and develop properly?

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).

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.

FOOD SECURITY, MICRONUTRIENTS

Micronutrients – Government Aid, and Boron

Governments have taken many initiatives to ensure the availability of micronutrients in our diet and products. Boron is a micronutrient found primarily in the soil and essential nutrient for plant growth and agriculture. Biofortification requires 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.

Agriculture, APPLICATIONS, DECARBONIZATION, Farming, Food Availability, MICRONUTRIENTS

Boron – The Wonder Mineral

The mineral Boron is a wonder. It is one of the building blocks for our modern lifestyle. We use it every day in all sorts of things, from concrete to computer chips. Yet few people know what it is or which countries use it extensively. This article will tell you...

DECARBONIZATION

Reduce Carbon Emissions with Boron Technologies

Boron is a critical raw material for many sectors such as solar cells, fiber optics, and semiconductor manufacturing. Boron production is also tied to other elements like lithium which are increasingly in demand.

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.

Carbon Cycle, DECARBONIZATION

Carbon Capture Funding and Boron

Carbon capture technology has been developed for coal-fired power plants with FECM support for over two decades. Over 20 successful pilot-scale projects have been implemented including a showcase demonstration project which captures and stores over one million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

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.

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY

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."

ADVANCED ENERGY, Energy Management

Geothermal Energy Could Solve Lithium Shortage

The potential for geothermal energy to provide a sustainable and reliable energy source is well known. But what is less appreciated is geothermal energy's role in solving one of the 21st century's most pressing challenges.

Ceramic and Enamels, Electricity Generation, RESEARCH, Superconductors

Boron a Superconductive Element

Boron is the superconductive element of the ceramic family. It's characterized by a wide variety of applications and unique properties.

Agriculture, Alkaline Balancer, Anti Bacteria, AntI-corrosive, Anti-fungal, APPLICATIONS, Crop Management, Farming, Food Access, Food Utilization, Forests and Parks, Human Health, Lubricants

Alkaline Boron – a Balancing Force in Nature

Alkaline Balancing pH is a key component to creating an environment that is healthy for life. Boron, a non-metal found harmlessly and naturally combined with oxygen as borates, helps create this balance. Boron is a key element that can be beneficial for your health...

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Efficient Power Sources, Nuclear Energy, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron Rocket Fuel

In today's podcast, we're going to look at research into how boron can be used as rocket fuel. Boron has a high intrinsic energy density. It's inexpensive, plentiful, and stable, making it a good choice for solid rocket fuels and an additive for jet fuels to increase energy output.

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, Energy Management, Energy Management Systems, PODCASTS

Podcast – EV Batteries and Boron

In today's podcast, we're going to look at electric vehicle, EV batteries. Electric vehicle batteries are rechargeable batteries that power electric cars bikes and scooters. They are specifically designed to give power over a sustained period and are deep cycle batteries.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Superconductors

Strength of Rare Earth Magnets

Rare earth magnets are arguably among the most important and powerful permanent magnets. They are made from alloys of rare earth elements and are incredibly powerful. But how powerful are these? And what makes them so strong?

Agriculture, FOOD SECURITY

Boron for Tomato Plants: The Ultimate Guide

Tomato plants (Lycopersicum esculentum) require boron for proper growth and development. Boron is a micronutrient that helps with cell wall formation, calcium uptake, and meristematic activity.

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, 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, 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.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Clean Fuels

Clean Energy: California On Track To Lead the Way

California is on the path to clean energy by achieving 85% by 2030. With this, the state strives to become a clean energy leader in the United States.

APPLICATIONS, DECARBONIZATION

Boron: The Essential Element

Boron is a valuable and versatile mineral, with uses ranging from aerospace to automotive. It's critical in pursuing renewable energy, food security, and decarbonization.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Efficient Power Sources, SCIENCE

Boron and SOP

Boron inclusive technology is an excellent example of 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 if possible. Boron has been working to bring sustainable energy sources for all, and Boron and Hydropower technology is an excellent example of achieving this goal.

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 Access, Food Availability, FOOD SECURITY, Food Stability

Global Food Dynamics and Boron

Global Food Dynamics and Boron: According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), nearly 1/3 of all fruit & vegetables produced globally are wasted each year. How can Boron Help alleviate this wastage?

Boron and Chernobyl

By Borates Today | 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.

Podcast – Boron Markets Ultimate Guide Part 1

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron Markets Ultimate Guide Part 1

Today, we're going to look at part one of a guide to Boron Markets. This compilation of research reports and sources is a guide to a number of Boron Markets, presenting forecasts based on estimations from several sources.

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.

Bacteria Boron-Carbon

By Borates Today | Agriculture, Anti Bacteria, Anti-fungal, Pest Control, RESEARCH

Bacteria Boron-Carbon

Bacteria Boron-Carbon is a type of bacteria that is found in the soil, water, and air. Boron-Carbon is effective in treating disease-causing bacteria found naturally on plant surfaces, such as treatment for managing diseases like leaf spots and powdery mildew.

Deloitte Clean Tech Index

By Borates Today | Clean Fuels, DECARBONIZATION

Deloitte Clean Tech Index

The Deloitte Australia Clean Tech (DACT) index is a global comparative ranking of companies. They rank organizations by recognizing their innovative and sustainable approach to business. Clean Tech stocks listed in Australia and was launched in 2008.

Key Metals Boron Demand Rising EV

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY

Key Metals Boron Demand Rising EV

Boron Nanotubes BNNT Stability for Electronics

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, RESEARCH

Boron Nanotubes BNNT Stability for Electronics

Sustainable Farming: 5 Tips For A Greener Future

By Borates Today | 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.

Boron – The Building Block of Urbanization

By Borates Today | Agriculture, Crop Management, DECARBONIZATION, Environmental Protection, Farming, Food Access, Food Availability, Food Stability, Food Utilization, Forests and Parks, Human Health, RESEARCH

Boron – The Building Block of Urbanization

Boron in Bioconversion

By Borates Today | 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.