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

Battery Component Price Report: October 2024

59 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Energy Batteries Sustainability Manufacturing Market Trends
  1. LFP battery prices are still under $50 per kWh. This means it’s a good time for consumers looking for affordable energy solutions.
  2. The report tracks battery component prices every month. Following the trends can help understand the market better.
  3. Subscribing gives access to exclusive updates and resources. It's a way to stay informed about changes in the battery industry.

Battery production is genuinely difficult

99 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Battery tech Manufacturing Sustainability Electric Vehicles Innovation
  1. Making batteries is really hard. Even small mistakes can lead to big problems and waste.
  2. Northvolt faced issues with unrealistic goals and timelines from its management, leading to disorganization and challenges in their production process.
  3. Quality control and procurement problems contributed to the company's struggles, highlighting a need for clear communication and better management practices.

Deep dive in hybrid battery packs

159 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Batteries Energy Electronics Automotive Innovation
  1. Hybrid battery packs mix different battery chemistries to improve performance. This allows for better energy management and potentially raises the accuracy of state-of-charge readings.
  2. These new packs can perform better in low temperatures and support faster charging. By combining different cell types, they can work more efficiently across different conditions.
  3. While hybrid batteries have advantages, they can also be more expensive and heavier. This extra cost might make them less appealing for some applications, though prices for certain battery types are dropping.

How To Break Up With Your Toxic Acid

59 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Chemistry Batteries Sustainability Manufacturing Innovation
  1. Fluorine plays a big role in making lithium-ion batteries better. It's important for key parts like the electrolyte salt that helps the battery work efficiently.
  2. Hydrogen fluoride is super toxic and can cause serious harm on contact. Finding safer ways to handle fluorine is crucial for both workers and the environment.
  3. FluoRok, a new company, is working to make fluorination safer and more sustainable. They aim to provide a better way to create essential materials without the risks associated with traditional processes.

The World of Graphite

139 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Materials science Energy Storage Supply Chain Geopolitics Sustainability
  1. Graphite is a key material for batteries, especially in electric vehicles, and there's been a shift from natural to synthetic graphite due to supply risks.
  2. China dominates the graphite supply, which creates concerns about over-reliance and geopolitical tensions, leading to increased global interest in local production.
  3. Synthetic graphite can be made from waste materials and has the potential to reduce environmental impacts if produced using renewable energy sources.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

To compromise or not to compromise in battery technology

79 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Battery tech Energy Storage Manufacturing Automotive Innovation
  1. Battery technology is evolving, and it’s important to understand different types like NMC and LFP. These choices affect cost, safety, and how much energy batteries can hold.
  2. Moving to larger battery cells can save costs and increase energy storage but brings challenges in heat management and monitoring cell health. Better systems are needed to keep everything safe and efficient.
  3. Companies are adapting to use LFP batteries due to their safety and lower costs, even if it means sacrificing some energy capacity. The goal is to find new ways to make these batteries even better in the future.

A short brainstorm on niobium

779 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

719 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

139 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Energy Storage Machine Learning Battery technology AI Experimental Design
  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.

Gigaprofits: "batteries not included"

279 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

219 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

199 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)

179 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.

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

March 2023 Roundup

19 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Regulations Battery tech 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.