We are delighted to extend a formal invitation for your esteemed presence at the upcoming Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, a highly esteemed event that will unveil the latest scientific breakthroughs to the public. Dr Maria Crespo, esteemed lecturer in Green Energy at Queen Mary University of London, will be in attendance to showcase her team’s pioneering work on sustainable battery technology.
Dr Crespo and her esteemed team at Queen Mary’s illustrious School of Materials Science and Engineering have been diligently focused on developing innovative techniques to repurpose plastic packaging, food waste, and even discarded tires into materials for a new generation of batteries. With a steadfast commitment to addressing the environmental and geopolitical concerns associated with traditional lithium-ion battery materials, their sustainable alternatives are poised to make a significant impact in the field.
The widespread usage of lithium-ion batteries in powering a myriad of devices, from smartphones to large-scale electricity grids, has posed its fair share of challenges. In fact, Dr Crespo has estimated that meeting the 2050 energy storage needs projected by the National Grid using lithium-ion batteries alone would necessitate an amount of lithium equivalent to 14 times the weight of London’s iconic building, The Shard.
However, the critical elements utilized in lithium-ion batteries are relatively scarce, with lithium accounting for just 0.002% of the Earth’s crust and other essential elements like nickel and cobalt being sourced from environmentally sensitive or politically unstable regions. In light of these challenges, Dr Crespo and her esteemed team have embarked on several promising avenues to revolutionize sustainable battery technology, including:
– Collaborating with The Tyre Collective to repurpose waste tyre particles for use in sodium-ion batteries, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative.
– Converting waste nylon packaging and other plastics into components for lithium-ion batteries, thereby reducing the reliance on virgin graphite.
– Developing lithium-sulfur batteries using lignin, a waste product from paper manufacturing, as a substitute for harmful cathode materials.
The exhibition is scheduled to take place from July 2nd to 7th, 2024, at 6 – 9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG, and admission is complimentary for all attendees. This will be a valuable opportunity for visitors to engage with Dr Crespo and her esteemed team, gain insight into their groundbreaking battery research, and even participate in hands-on activities to create their own battery.
We cordially hope to have the honour of your presence as we bear witness to a pivotal moment in the advancement of sustainable battery technology!