Intercalation Station $10 / month

Intercalation Station is a specialized newsletter focusing on developments in battery technology and its implications for climate change. It covers topics like materials science, market trends, safety assessments, groundbreaking research, and the role of artificial intelligence in battery innovation. The content often emphasizes the intersection of technology advancements with economic and environmental considerations.

Battery Technology Climate Change Materials Science Market Trends Safety in Energy Storage Artificial Intelligence Regulatory Changes Startups and Investment Global Supply Chain

The hottest Substack posts of Intercalation Station

And their main takeaways

A short brainstorm on niobium

766 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🔬 Science Materials Chemistry
  1. Niobium is a versatile material with unique properties like superconductivity and strength.
  2. Thermal runaway in batteries can be analyzed and mitigated using tools like differential scanning calorimetry.
  3. 90% of niobium is used in steelmaking, but it has potential in battery technology for durability and fast charging.

STEERing the battery industry in right direction

707 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Energy Storage Market Trends Supply Chain Government support
  1. Sodium-ion battery technology has potential cost advantages and safety improvements but faces challenges in integration and market scale.
  2. Li-ion will likely continue to dominate the energy storage market by 2030, and the need for medium to long duration storage solutions is being assessed.
  3. Addressing material limitations in energy storage requires improved material sourcing, supply chain transparency, economic considerations, technical challenges, and community support.

Revolutionising Energy Storage: The AI and Experimental Design Fusion in Battery Tech

137 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Energy Storage Machine Learning Battery technology AI
  1. The use of machine learning and adaptive experimental design is revolutionizing battery technology for more efficient, reliable, and sustainable energy storage solutions.
  2. Machine learning enhances consumer electronics by optimizing battery life and performance, showing practical benefits in devices like smartphones and electric vehicles.
  3. The combination of machine learning and adaptive experimental design leads to quicker research and innovation in battery technology, making advancements more tailored, responsive, and impactful across industries.

January Round Up!

39 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Batteries US-China Relations
  1. Differential scanning calorimetry is a useful tool in battery safety evaluation
  2. AMTE power in Scotland entered administration and was bought by LionVolt
  3. Big advancements in grid resilience with large battery replacing coal plant in Hawaii
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Gigaprofits: "batteries not included"

275 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
💼 Business Finance Manufacturing Revenue R&D Debt
  1. Majority of gigafactories are experiencing thin profit margins ranging from 1-3%.
  2. Economies of scale play a significant role in profitability, with larger revenue leading to higher profits.
  3. CATL leads in market dominance with over $47B USD in revenue and over 30% market share in EV batteries.

February News Roundup

216 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Research Startup Podcasts Industry News Funding
  1. Conflicts and lawsuits are arising over silicon anode technology in the battery industry.
  2. There is a growing demand for lithium for electric vehicles, requiring increased mining efforts.
  3. Major fundings are fueling the US battery industry, with Redwood Materials and Ford receiving significant investments.

Revival of the lithium metal battery

196 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. Lithium metal is attractive for energy storage due to its low electrode potential and high energy density potential.
  2. Strategies to overcome challenges with lithium metal batteries include interface design, 3D architecture, and lithium plating regulation.
  3. Industry players are making progress in stabilizing lithium metal anodes with different strategies, facing challenges in manufacturing for larger cell formats.

Show me the money (& jobs)

176 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
💼 Business Finance Jobs Investment Industry Economy
  1. The US government has provided significant funding for American battery companies through various initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
  2. The funding aims to create jobs and requires a match from private investment.
  3. Analyzing the funding and job creation of these companies shows interesting trends like the split between public and private contributions and the hiring practices of different companies.

March 2023 Roundup

19 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Regulations Manufacturing Research
  1. New regulations for protecting marine life through ocean protection agreement
  2. Focus on advancements in silicon anode technology for batteries in smartphones and electric vehicles
  3. Decrease in raw material prices like lithium, nickel, and cobalt due to increased production and demand dynamics

Startup Dive: Sakuu

19 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🕹 Technology 3D Printing Batteries Innovation Materials Research
  1. Sakuu, a startup, is merging with Plum Acquisition Corp. I in Q3 2023, making it the third SPAC this year.
  2. Sakuu, founded in 2017, has raised over $50m in funding and partnered with companies to develop 3D-printed batteries.
  3. 3D printing technology like Kavian by Sakuu is being used to manufacture solid-state batteries, with potential challenges and opportunities.