Natron is a naturally-occurring blend of sodium carbonate, and 17% sodium bicarbonate plus sodium chloride and sodium sulfate traces. The carbonate mineral has a number of traditional domestic uses, and is commercially viable at a number of United States and Canadian sites. U.S. sodium-ion battery manufacturer Natron Energy has begun manufacturing sodium-ion batteries in Holland, Michigan.
What We Know About These U.S. Sodium-Ion Batteries
We had anticipated an announcement along these lines, although nonetheless it did come with an element of surprise. A statement on the Natron Energy website confirms the following:
‘The atoms in our prussian blue particles are arranged in large, cubic cages with empty spaces (pores) between them. Since the pores in prussian blue are larger than sodium ions, they are able to rapidly absorb and release those ions in a process called intercalation.
‘This rapid intercalation is the key benefit of Natron’s sodium-ion battery technology, and sets it apart from other conventional storage materials found in lithium-ion and lead acid cells.The prussian blue structure also does not expand and contract as it charges, and discharges sodium ions.
‘This “zero strain” mechanism means greater chemical stability, and less particle degradation that limits cycle life in other batteries. Our prussian blue uses either a blend of local iron and manganese, or pure manganese from minerals readily available in the United States.’
More Information from Business Wire Website
The Business Wire news channel published more breaking-news information on April 29, 2024. This confirmed ‘commercial-scale operations’ are beginning at a sodium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Holland, Michigan.
This first-ever local, U.S. initiative will offer ‘higher power density, higher cycles, a local supply chain, and unique safety characteristics over other battery technologies.’ And moreover the product is ‘the only UL-listed sodium-ion battery on the market today’.
More Information
Prussian White Cathodes Enhance Sodium-Ion
