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

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY, APPLICATIONS, Efficient Power Sources

Boron Rocket Fuel

Boron Rocket Fuel: Boron has a high intrinsic energy density. It is inexpensive, plentiful, and stable, making it a good choice for solid rocket fuels and an additive for jet fuels to increase their energy output. However, the oxide shell and its impurities make boron unreliable at the ignition point. Research is ongoing into overcoming these impurities so that boron fuel may be used more widely in space travel.

BENEFITS, FOOD SECURITY, Human Health

Boron and Daily Diet

Boron is an essential mineral in our daily diet. Boron can be found in foods such as fruits and vegetables. If you are showing signs of Boron deficiency such as brittle fingernails. hair loss, muscle weakness, joint pain, supplements may be required. Boron is typically taken as borax, boric acid, or as a boron citrate supplement for those looking to include Boron in a regular diet.

DECARBONIZATION

How Can Governments Implement Decarbonization

The world is now facing the daunting reality of climate change. Cities are starting to feel the effects, with some areas experiencing more extreme weather conditions than ever before and rainfall patterns changing. Countries need to work together to reduce...

Batteries and Capacitors, Chemistry, Energy Management Systems

LiFePO4 Batteries (LFP): The Future of Vehicles

Tesla announced LiFePO4 batteries as the new transition in all standard vehicles. But what exactly are they? Are they better than Li-Ion batteries?

ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors, PODCASTS

Podcast – Lithium Battery Prices Set to Soar

Lithium battery prices have been steadily increasing since 2022 taking both manufacturers and consumers by surprise. This shift marks a significant rise and is a trend set to continue over the next few years.

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.

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

Crop Management, FOOD SECURITY

Boron Essential for Plants

Boron Essential for Plants: Boron is a vital nutrient for plants. It plays a crucial role in regulating the development of root and shoot meristem and thus helps complete the life cycles of plants from seed germination to fully-grown plant.

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.

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.

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, 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, Efficient Power Sources, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron-based Polymers for EV Storage

In today's podcast, we're going to look at boron-based polymers for EV storage. Boron-based polymers such as BNNTs or boron nitride, nanotubes are two-dimensional nanomaterials with excellent properties for improving electric vehicle energy storage, given their high surface areas, large aspect ratios, and good thermal conductivity.

Clean Fuels, Efficient Power Sources, Electricity Generation, RESEARCH

How Boron is Beneficial for Heat Conversion

How is Boron Beneficial for Heat Conversion? This is a topic of interest for many scientists, engineers, and chemists due to its unique properties. It is an element that plays a vital role in heat and other energy conversion processes. Additionally, it is important...

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.

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.

FOOD SECURITY, INDUSTRY SECTORS

Food Security in Food and Beverage Companies

Having a secure food supply is critical to any modern society. Food security has many aspects, one of which is the availability and sustainability of food. The global population is predicted to reach 9 billion by 2050, which will impact our current food system...

Agriculture

Creeping Charlie with Borax: The Best Weedkiller

Creeping Charlie weed is difficult to eliminate, but borax can kill the plant's roots, preventing it from spreading, and taking over lawns or gardens.

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.

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 and Battery production BNNT Boron Nitrate Nanotubes

ADVANCED ENERGY, INVEST IN BORON

Demand Surges for Boron from Battery Producers

The clean energy shift is happening, and it’s more than just an environmental movement. As more people turn to renewable sources of power, the demand for battery minerals is increasing exponentially worldwide. Boron, lithium, and graphite are essential minerals seeing increased share prices because of this trend.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Energy Management

Magnesium Boron Mixture For Energy Innovations

A magnesium/boron mechanical mixture is being developed for energy innovations. The combination of these two materials creates a strong and lightweight composite that has the potential to be used in a variety of energy applications.

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Energy Management

Solar Cell – The Science Behind Solar Energy

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?

Environmental Protection, MINING

Sustainable Mining: The Future of the Industry

Sustainable mining is the sustainable extraction, processing, and use of mineral resources. It impacts the environmental and its economic feasibility.

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?

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – 5e Advanced Materials Announces Exciting Update

Today, we’re going to take a look at 5e Advanced Materials, the only permitted boron and lithium resource in the United States that recently updated the boron and lithium community with its strategic plan.

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.

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, Crop Management

Coconut Palm and Boron: The Nutrient Connection

Coconut palm (Cocos Nucifera) is a tropical tree cultivated for many uses. It produces large, fibrous fruit, an important food, and oil source for millions worldwide. In addition to being a dietary staple, coconuts make various products, including cosmetics, soaps, and detergents.

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!

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors, Energy Management Systems

Boron in Traction Motors

Boron in traction motors – Smarter, better, cheaper, faster — those words are the mantra of today’s global economy. As organizations seek to streamline operations and do more with less, they increasingly focus on advanced logistics vehicles and mobile robots to help get the job done. From smart warehousing in retail to materials handling in manufacturing to telepresence robots in healthcare, robotic vehicles constitute a fast-growing technology sector.

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.

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.

Farming, FOOD SECURITY, Human Health

Boron Nutrition in Rice Plants

Boron nutrition is essential for rice growth and yield. It improves plant water relations and increases the total chlorophyll content in rice plants. It also enhances the kernel quality and reduces panicle sterility for rice plants.

Agriculture, FOOD SECURITY, PODCASTS

Podcast – Sustainable Agriculture and Boron

In today's podcast, we're going to look at sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture uses micronutrients such as boron, zinc, and copper to promote soil health and support healthy plant growth.

Food Access, Food Availability, FOOD SECURITY

Does Boron Rich Food Help In Weight Loss?

Does Boron Rich food help with weight loss? Can they help you lose weight quickly and how much boron do you need? Boron-rich food plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s metabolism. Even very low amounts of Boron can induce significant body weight loss. Boron appears to be important in burning body fat for energy. It also regulates carbohydrate metabolism.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Company Profiles, Efficient Power Sources

Company Profile of Lithium and Boron Technology

Lithium and Boron Technology, Inc., previously known as SmartHeat Inc, is a significant producer of boric acid and a manufacturer of lithium carbonate in the PRC. It has a revenue of around $7.57M. The company exclusively sources ore and brine from Dachaidan Lake and the surrounding areas.

Geothermal Energy Could Solve Lithium Shortage

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, Energy Management

Geothermal Energy Could Solve Lithium Shortage

Rare Earth Magnet Producers Using Boron to Get Tax Credits

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY

Rare Earth Magnet Producers Using Boron to Get Tax Credits

Boron is giving a shot in the arm to North America’s alternate energy transition initiatives, a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced legislation to extend tax credits to companies that domestically produce rare earth magnets with boron and other minerals inside.

Decarbonization – Special Report

By Borates Today | DECARBONIZATION

Decarbonization – Special Report

What is Decarbonization Decarbonization is akey topic in Climate Change initiatives the process of reducing the amount or concentration of carbon in certain substances. This can be done by removing all traces, forms and quantities from a gas, liquid or solid...

Boron-Based Furan Polymers

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, Clean Fuels, Efficient Power Sources

Boron-Based Furan Polymers

Boron-based Furan polymers are a new class of renewable energy materials based on boron. These materials can provide portable energy sources, serve as catalysts in chemical reactions, and can potentially be used as electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries. They are also highly biodegradable.

Boron’s Importance in Maintaining the Health of Coral Reefs

By Borates Today | Anti Bacteria, Anti-fungal, APPLICATIONS, MICRONUTRIENTS

Boron’s Importance in Maintaining the Health of Coral Reefs

Boron is an essential element in our daily lives and crucial for a successful reef tank. It is necessary to ensure the health of corals and invertebrates.

Boron in Coffee

By Borates Today | FOOD SECURITY, Human Health

Boron in Coffee

Coffee is one of the most susceptible crops to boron shortage. Boron in coffee is needed for coffee cultivation to improve yield and support healthy growth via cell divisions and cell wall formation in association with calcium, water uptake, roots growth, growth of internodes, setting, calcium uptake, lower aluminum toxicity, and drought resistance.

Boron Nutrition in Rice Plants

By Borates Today | Farming, FOOD SECURITY, Human Health

Boron Nutrition in Rice Plants

Boron Feeds the World

By Borates Today | Agriculture, Anti Bacteria, Anti-fungal, Crop Management, Environmental Protection, Farming, Food Stability, Forests and Parks, Pest Control

Boron Feeds the World

Progressively Agriculture needs to become efficient to give a population that Is developing. As a factor that is crucial to crop development. Boron feeds the world

Managing Malnutrition with Boron

By Borates Today | FOOD SECURITY, Human Health

Managing Malnutrition with Boron

Boron is important in the development of bones, teeth, and other tissues. Boron deficiency can lead to problems like osteoporosis, poor bone density leading to fractures, and malnutrition. Boron is required for strong fetal skeletons in the earliest stages of pregnancy.

Podcast – Sustainable Agriculture and Boron

By Borates Today | Agriculture, FOOD SECURITY, PODCASTS