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It depends on the chemistry of the particular battery, we're always inventing new ones for better prices or characteristics. Lithium is often mined from saltwa
by syncsynchalt 3y ago
It depends on the chemistry of the particular battery, we're always inventing new ones for better prices or characteristics.
Lithium is often mined from saltwater pumped out of the ground and evaporated in ponds. We can also extract it from seawater if desperate, so there's a price ceiling. It's only a few percent of the battery by mass.
Iron is mined, along with the nickel, manganese, aluminum, and so on. Steel is alloyed from several mined elements.
Cobalt is also mined but has a lot of negative externalities so we've moved to chemistries and cathodes that are cobalt-free or use relatively little.
Carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus have many sources.
- seanmcdirmid 3y agoThe main problem with cobalt is that it is mined in a country that has little regard for human or child rights, and is also very poor (so people starve if they don't work). By moving away from cobalt, those kids will just starve instead, it also doesn't seem like the right solution. We could always just ask Belgium to solve the mess they made.
- syndicatedjelly 3y agoThanks, I appreciate the facts. > Cobalt is also mined but has a lot of negative externalities so we've moved to chemistries and cathodes that are cobalt-free or use relatively little. Who is “we” in this sentence? Is there any way to guarantee “cruelty-free” cobalt? Or are the world’s manufacturers forced to source it from mines in conflict zones?