Scientists look to magnesium for better electric vehicle batteries
09/02/2021 / By Ramon Tomey
Lithium has been the backbone of electric vehicle (EV) batteries for some time now. But scientists are now looking to magnesium – touted to be a better replacement for lithium – to power the EVs of tomorrow. However, there are certain issues with using magnesium for EV batteries, so scientists are working to overcome these roadblocks.
One main issue that made magnesium a viable replacement for lithium is the limited supply of the latter. The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the places in the world that is rich in lithium. But the process of extracting lithium has damaged the desert environment and has negatively affected the desert’s indigenous residents.
On the other hand, sourcing magnesium is a much easier endeavor. The United States Geological Survey describes magnesium as “the [eighth] most abundant element … [and] the third most plentiful element dissolved in seawater.” The element and its compounds are also found in well and lake brines and bitterns. Bitterns refer to the liquid left behind when saltwater evaporates.
https://www.climate.news/2021-09-02-scientists-look-to-magnesium-better-ev-batteries.html
