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

Key Metals Boron Demand Rising EV

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, Efficient Power Sources, SCIENCE

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.

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?

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).

Environmental Protection, SCIENCE

Sustainable Future Using Materials Science

Sustainable future using materials science is achieved through developing new materials and technologies that can help address climate change and resources.

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, Agriculture, Batteries and Capacitors, Crop Management

Discover Electric Car Batteries

Electric vehicle batteries are rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles over a sustained period and are deep cycle batteries.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Clean Fuels, Efficient Power Sources, Innovation

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY

Boron and Solar Energy

Boron For Storage In Solar Energy
As our population and cities grow, so does our need for safe, sustainable energy. To meet global needs, we must increase the efficiency of our energy consumption and optimize the capacity of existing and emerging energy sources.
Solar and wind energy depend on strong, durable materials. Borax products help to enable these technologies—and we strive to make our operations sustainable, too.

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.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Clean Fuels

Mining Companies Supporting Clean Energy

The clean energy transition is underway, and miners play a critical role in supporting this global effort. Boron, for example, is a key ingredient in batteries and other storage technologies that will be essential to integrating renewables into the grid.

ADVANCED ENERGY, Batteries and Capacitors

Lithium-ion Battery Market Analysis

The lithium-ion battery market continues to grow in popularity, with electric vehicles and the need for better energy storage solutions driving its demand.

Carbon Cycle, DECARBONIZATION, Environmental Protection

Porous Boron Nitride

The formation and applications of porous Boron Nitride have been the subject of popular research lately. Its high porosity and thermal stability will help pave the way for improving large-scale industrial gas and liquid separations, such as those used in carbon capture or water treatment processes by reducing the amount of energy required.

Boron inside - in Boron Neodymium Magnets

ADVANCED ENERGY, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron Neodymium Magnets

Neodymium magnets are rare earth magnets composed of neodymium, iron boron, and several transition metals. The neodymium elements are classified as rare earth magnets because they lie in the lanthanides section on the periodic table.

Agriculture, Anti Bacteria, Anti-fungal, Biocides, Crop Management, Farming, FOOD SECURITY, Pest Control

Agriculture: The Importance of Boron

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.

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.

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?

ADVANCED ENERGY

Nuclear Energy and Boron

We live in a world where the environment is constantly going through changes. This is because we are running out of fossil fuels, and all it takes for our society to collapse is one more natural disaster. Therefore, the invention of new materials that facilitate the mission statement of a low carbon future is essential in today's day and age to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels.

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

Wind Turbine: The Need for Permanent Magnet

Magnets in wind turbines are revolutionizing energy production, providing a steady supply of electricity with their reliable magnetic powertrain.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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, Efficient Power Sources, Energy Management

The Future of Solar: Boron and Energy Efficiency

Energy transition is a hot topic these days, and one way that scientists have been working on reducing our dependence on fossil fuels has been through solar panels. Boron plays an integral role in the efficiency of solar panels- without it, photovoltaic cells would not be able to convert light into electricity as efficiently.

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.

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, Energy Management Systems

Hydrogen-boron Fusion Energy

Hydrogen-boron fusion is a new area with exciting potential for vehicles and transportation. There has been much debate about securing sufficient supplies of lithium and cobalt to power electric vehicles and replace two billion diesel/petrol vehicles currently on the roads.

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, 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, 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.

Anti Bacteria, Anti-fungal, APPLICATIONS, BENEFITS, Biocides, Forests and Parks, Pest Control, Wood Protection

Boron the Super Saviour of Wooden Products

Efficient Power Sources, Nuclear Energy, RESEARCH

High Purity Boron Controls Nuclear Power

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, 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.

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

Magnesium Diboride: A Promising Superconductor

By Borates Today | SCIENCE, Superconductors

Magnesium Diboride: A Promising Superconductor

Magnesium diboride is an inorganic compound made of boron and magnesium. Over years, MgB2 has progressed from a remarkable discovery to a promising superconductor.

Critical Minerals in Australia

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, DECARBONIZATION, MINING

Critical Minerals in Australia

Critical Minerals in Australia: The Australian Government has announced its intention to become more self-reliant in critical minerals as a result of geopolitical changes which threaten the ongoing supply of key industrial and energy commodities, which includes boron and borates.

Podcast – EV Batteries and Boron

By Borates Today | 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.

Boron as an energy carrier to increase efficiency

By Borates Today | DECARBONIZATION, Industrial emissions

Boron as an energy carrier to increase efficiency

Boron and Nuclear Fusion

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, DECARBONIZATION, MINING

Boron and Nuclear Fusion

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 Rewrites the Rules for the Automotive Industry

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY

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.

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.

Boron Monosulfide Nanosheets

By Borates Today | ADVANCED ENERGY, Innovation, RESEARCH

Boron Monosulfide Nanosheets

Boron monosulfide nanosheets may provide efficient energy sources in applications including batteries, catalysts, and electronic devices. Boron monosulfide nanosheets unique structures, giving them exciting superconducting, thermoelectric properties.

Solar Cell – The Science Behind Solar Energy

By Borates Today | 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?