Material combinations
Scientists have worked on batteries, the consistency of their materials and their efficiency for generations now.
In many batteries, we find the following materials:
- Lead
- Cobalt
- Nickel
- Manganese
- Graphite
- Aluminium
- Magnesium
- Lithium
- Sodium
- Copper
For example, the lithium-ion battery has lithium-intercalated graphite on the anode and lithium cobalt complex materials on the cathode (when the battery is being discharged). The graphite is made up of many layers that allow the lithium ions to move in and out of the anode easily.
Conversation Starter
- We encourage you to do some quick research on 1-3 of the materials listed.
- What are some of the issues with the materials listed above?
- Are these materials abundant? Easy to obtain? Spread evenly across the earth?
How to Survive on Earth: Energy Materials for a Sustainable Future
How to Survive on Earth: Energy Materials for a Sustainable Future
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