Stanford Energy

Stanford ENERGY newsletter is out The week that was: 1. Electrode-free battery 2. Nuclear and AI strategy 3. Ocean CO2 storage 1. New aqueous battery without electrodes may be the kind of energy storage the modern electric grid needs In the first dual-electrode-free battery, metals self-assemble in liquid crystal formation as electrodes when needed. This could increase energy density over existing zinc-manganese batteries up to six times and durability almost four times. 2. Students take nuclear strategy ideas to Washington, D.C. Four engineering students developed proposals for supporting America’s transition to nuclear energy and presented them to the National Security Council. 3. Ocean microbe’s unusual pair of enzymes may boost carbon storage, study suggests Multiple forms of a ubiquitous enzyme in microbes that thrive in low-oxygen zones off the coasts of Central and South America may open new possibilities for understanding ocean carbon storage and growing crops with fewer resources. Plus all the Stanford Energy events the first week of winter term Check it out and subscribe for free: https://lnkd.in/g35YeK7y #batteries #nuclearenergy #co2 SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Yi Cui Michal Bajdich Yuqi Li Stanford University School of Engineering Mandy Alevra Nuri Capanoglu Elena Kopstein Jackson Painter Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Alexander Jaffe

New aqueous battery without electrodes may be the kind of energy storage the modern electric grid needs In the first dual-electrode-free battery, metals self-assemble in liquid crystal formation as electrodes when needed. This could increase energy density over existing zinc-manganese batteries up to six times and durability almost four times. Stanford and SLAC researchers have developed a novel aqueous battery design that could revolutionize grid-scale energy storage. The key innovation is the absence of permanent electrodes - instead, the battery uses zinc and manganese dioxide in a water-based electrolyte that self-assembles into temporary electrodes during charging and dissolves while discharging. The researchers introduced a surfactant that enables the formation of liquid crystal structures, significantly improving the battery's performance. With this addition, the battery retained 80% capacity after 950 charge-discharge cycles, compared to 250 cycles without the surfactant. The technology addresses common problems in zinc-manganese batteries, such as dendrite formation and poor conductivity, through the organized crystal structure created by the surfactant. The water-based nature of the battery makes it potentially cheaper and easier to manufacture than alternatives. This research is the first supported by the Aqueous Battery Consortium, a collaboration between 12 universities and three federal laboratories, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. While promising for grid storage, researchers are working to extend the battery's lifespan and potentially adapt it for other applications, including electric vehicles. “This liquid crystal chemistry is very promising for controlling self-assembly in other crystal systems,” said Yi Cui, the study's senior author. “Maybe we have opened exciting research opportunities to develop next-generation high-energy-density and long-duration batteries with water-based electrolytes.” Read the news article here: https://lnkd.in/guMRFnsJ Read the study here (subscription may be required): https://lnkd.in/gAkQx52q #batteries #grid #energystorage Yuqi Li Yi Cui Michal Bajdich

Students take nuclear strategy ideas for handling AI to Washington Stanford students Mandy Alevra, Nuri Capanoglu, Elena Kopstein, and Jackson Painter presented policy proposals to U.S. government officials, including Tarun Chhabra, ’02, senior director for technology and national security at the National Security Council, as well as nuclear power experts from the Nuclear Energy Institute and Clear Path to help the U.S. lead in the nuclear energy sector. Their project, developed in a fall course on technology and global competition, addressed how the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) could strain the U.S. power grid, necessitating a shift to nuclear energy. The students proposed three key strategies to accelerate the nation’s nuclear transition: 1. Expedited Permitting Process: They recommended creating a centralized database for nuclear permitting codes to reduce the time and cost of licensing small modular reactors (SMRs), which currently takes longer in the U.S. compared to countries like China. 2. Cost Overrun Insurance: To attract private investment, they suggested offering insurance to cover the financial risks of nuclear projects, citing cost overruns in Georgia’s nuclear plant construction. 3. Increased Nuclear Exports: The students urged the U.S. to enhance its nuclear export policies to compete with China and Russia, which dominate the global nuclear market with streamlined, state-run processes. Their proposals received positive feedback during a White House meeting, reflecting growing bipartisan support for nuclear energy. Read the news article here: https://lnkd.in/gh2enj9J #nuclear #si

Ocean microbe’s unusual pair of enzymes may boost carbon storage, study suggests Stanford scientists have discovered multiple forms of a ubiquitous enzyme in microbes that thrive in low-oxygen zones off the coasts of Central and South America. The results may open new possibilities for growing crops with fewer resources and understanding ocean carbon storage. Researchers found a group of cyanobacteria with two forms of the enzyme RuBisCo. The two enzymes might be advantageous for living in low-oxygen ocean waters. If the enzyme combo proves to be a benefit, it may have applications in agriculture. “This is one of those great examples of science where you go out looking for one thing, but you end up finding something else that’s even better,” said Anne Dekas, an assistant professor of Earth system science at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and senior author of the Nov. 25 study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Read the news article here: https://lnkd.in/djn5igyC Read the study here: https://lnkd.in/dWH2iZg7 #CO2 #ocean #agriculture

Meet Qi Zheng: Sustainability Accelerator Postdoctoral Fellow working with Prof. Yi Cui. Qi's project focuses on developing innovative zero-carbon cements by leveraging concrete recycling and clean energy technologies. His goal is to create scalable solutions to significantly mitigate and remove CO2 across the entire concrete lifecycle—from cement production and construction to infrastructure maintenance and recycling. Learn more about the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator's postdoctoral program and how you can join a program that empowers and supports innovators to launch scalable real-world technology and policy solutions into the real world. https://lnkd.in/gQ8n3pmn Applications close December 31st! Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gsJaAS5T

What role is Ammonia playing in getting us to a low carbon energy system of the future? Read about the technology, infrastructure, market and policy pathways and challenges that were discussed at Stanford Energy’s Hydrogen Initiative October 2024 symposium. Thank you to our outstanding Stanford team of authors Yannik Schüler, Folasade A., Liwei Yang, and Naomi Boness, Ph.D.

Are you interested in joining a highly motivated, fast-paced team that oversees and produces a high volume of strategic, valuable, high touch engagements to convene collaborators in rapidly advancing energy transitions to achieve decarbonization of global systems? Our stakeholders include members of industry, faculty, researchers, donors, students, and global thought leaders, and others who are working on energy research as an enabler for the global energy transformation. The Assistant Director for Events will innovate, elevate and support the activities for the Stanford Energy brand by independently strategizing, planning, and executing a diverse range of engagements. Learn more and apply here! https://lnkd.in/gpgjQVp7

Stanford ENERGY newsletter is out: 1.       Good news for EV owners 2.       Low-carbon fertilizer 3.       Peak heat 4.       Wastewater gold 1.      Existing EV batteries may last up to 40% longer than expected Consumers’ real-world stop-and-go driving of electric vehicles benefits batteries more than the steady use simulated in laboratory tests of new battery designs, study finds. 2.      Even rapid decarbonization cannot prevent warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius Many regions, including South Asia, the Mediterranean, Central Europe, and parts of sub-Saharan Africa will surpass 3°C (5.4°F) of warming by 2060 in a scenario in which emissions continue to increase, according to a pair of studies. 3.      William Tarpeh is turning wastewater into critical resources (17-min. video) Tarpeh's lab also uses its advanced membrane materials and electrochemical processes for energy-efficient recovery of other elements, too, including lithium from spent batteries. 4.      New device produces critical fertilizer ingredient from thin air, cutting C02 emissions A new prototype device demonstrates an innovative approach to producing ammonia – a key component of fertilizer – that could transform an industry responsible for about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Check it out and subscribe for free: https://lnkd.in/gV5MKRbp Stanford University School of Engineering Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment Simona Onori William Chueh William Tarpeh Elizabeth Barnes Richard Zare Alexis GESLIN

William Tarpeh is turning wastewater into critical resources – Video (17 min.) Tarpeh's lab also uses its advanced membrane materials and electrochemical processes for energy-efficient recovery of other elements, too, including lithium from spent batteries. Tarpeh, an assistant chemical engineering professor at Stanford University, explores how wastewater can be transformed from a waste product into a valuable resource. He explains how human activities have exceeded sustainable nitrogen emission levels, causing environmental challenges. The same chemical compound (like ammonia) can be considered either a pollutant or a product depending on its context, Tarpeh says. His lab develops innovative separation technologies, particularly electrochemical methods, to recover valuable resources like lithium and nitrogen. By designing selective membranes and electrochemical processes, Tarpeh's team can extract ammonia from wastewater and convert it into fertilizer, potentially solving multiple problems simultaneously. Key innovations include: 1.       Electrochemical stripping to recover high-purity ammonia 2.       Membrane technologies for selective ion separation 3.       Demonstrations of continuous operation using real urine samples 4.       Exploring solar-powered, decentralized resource recovery The ultimate goal is to create sustainable, multi-scale solutions that transform waste management and resource production. Read very brief intro and watch the 17-min. here: https://lnkd.in/g_wcYihg #wastewater #lithium #ammonia

New device produces critical fertilizer ingredient from thin air, cutting carbon emissions Stanford University researchers have invented a new device that produces ammonia – a crucial fertilizer ingredient – directly from air using wind energy. This innovative technology offers a sustainable alternative to the traditional ammonia production method, which currently consumes 2% of global energy and contributes 1% of annual carbon dioxide emissions. “This breakthrough allows us to harness the nitrogen in our air and produce ammonia sustainably,” said study senior author Dick Zare, professor of chemistry. “It’s a significant step toward a decentralized and eco-friendly approach to agriculture.” The prototype device works by passing air through a mesh coated with catalysts, generating ammonia at room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure without requiring an external power source. Unlike conventional methods, this approach enables on-site fertilizer production, potentially allowing farmers to generate fertilizer directly through their irrigation systems. In laboratory experiments, the researchers successfully recycled water and produced ammonia concentrations sufficient for greenhouse plant fertilization within just two hours. The device is approximately two to three years from market readiness, with plans to scale up mesh systems for increased ammonia production. Beyond agricultural applications, the technology has broader implications for sustainable energy. Ammonia can serve as an efficient clean energy carrier, potentially revolutionizing industries like shipping and power generation by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The researchers view this innovation as a significant step toward decentralized and eco-friendly agricultural and energy solutions. Read the news article here: https://lnkd.in/gvd6VT4t Read the study at Science Advances here: https://lnkd.in/g-rabRgi Xiaowei Song #fertilizer #ammonia #climatechange