Sodium-ion batteries need breakthroughs to compete Sodium-ion batteries, while promising, still face significant challenges before they can compete in lithium-ion batteries’ $50 billion a year market, a new study in @NatureEnergyJnl shows. The research, conducted by Stanford's new STEER program, analyzed more than 6,000 scenarios to evaluate sodium-ion batteries' potential. Despite assumptions about lower costs and more resilient supply chains, sodium-ion batteries currently store less energy per pound than lithium-ion batteries, making their cost per unit of energy stored higher. To become competitive, particularly against lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, developers need to increase energy densities without using critical minerals like nickel, which many current designs rely on. The researchers emphasize that simply scaling up production won't be enough to make sodium-ion batteries cost-competitive; significant engineering advances are needed. However, developing alternatives to lithium-ion batteries remains important for energy security and supply chain resilience, especially given China's recent restrictions on graphite exports and its control of 90% of the global graphite supply. The study, by STEER leaders Sally Benson, William Chueh, and Adrian Yao, represents a novel approach to evaluating emerging energy technologies and providing guidance on innovation and investment strategies for the energy transition. Read the news here: news.stanford.edu/stories/20… Read the study here: nature.com/articles/s41560-0…

Sand is the 2nd most used natural resource on Earth @oceansolutions @stanforddoerr experts discuss how increased demand for sand has shifted attention to mining it from the ocean, often at the expense of coastal communities ➡️ sustainability.stanford.edu/… @jb_jouffray @marslogander

Hear from scholars Sanaa Alam, Hannah Melville-Rea, Leona Neftaliem, Jocelyn Ricard, and Takondwa Semphere, friends who found each other at KHS. Willie Thompson and Ashley Yeh interview the group on how friendship fuels their growth. stanford.io/4fjktcB

➡️ Apply now for the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator Postdoctoral Fellowship, designed to support innovators to launch scalable real-world technology and policy solutions. Applications due Dec. 31: stanford.io/3YwsiXw

🌍 Welcome to Day 1 of #AGU24! With over 28,000 attendees from 100 countries, we’re thrilled to kick off this incredible week in Washington, D.C., exploring the theme “What’s Next for Science.” 🚀 youtu.be/oHKETo4zdu0 Here’s a suggested itinerary to help you plan:

📢 Postdoc fellowship opportunity: Apply by Nov. 11 for the @stanforddoerr Dean's Sustainability Leaders Postdoctoral Fellowship. The program supports outstanding scholars in sustainability who are also leaders in diversity and inclusion. stanford.io/40bN6Vh

🎊 Announcing the launch of the Stanford Center for Human and Planetary Health, a collaboration between @stanforddoerr @StanfordMed and housed at @StanfordWoods! The center will tackle challenges at the intersection of health, climate change & more. stanford.io/3YJW9vr

Excited to announce the launch of #CarbonStar, a new binational standard to quantify the carbon impact of concrete. CarbonStar® will help manufacturers, designers & builders make greener, more sustainable choices for a lower-carbon future! Check it out at carbonstarstandard.org!