by Karen Telleen-Lawton, Noozhawk Columnist (read original in Noozhawk here)
June 1, 2025 | 7:33 pm
With the continuing federal assaults on science, you might think climate science research has ground to a halt. Fortunately, UCSB academic inquiry shows that’s not the case.
The scarcity of Lithium inspired two UCSB professors, Rachel Segalman and Ram Sechadri, in their determination to design batteries using sodium (Na).
In nearby labs, engineering groups tackle carbon emissions from training AI models and streamline machine learning’s efficiency by moving data.
A fourth project designs selective membranes to enhance the energy efficiency and functionality of biosensors like glucose monitors.
Across the campus, science and technology aimed at ameliorating the effects of climate change continues.
Each of these projects recently received a Research Seed Grant from UCSB’s Institute for Energy Efficiency. IEE is an interdisciplinary research center in the College of Engineering, investing in science and technologies.
IEE seed grants are aimed at energy efficiency and sustainability, funding projects particularly aimed at social impact. Each IEE project applicant proposal concentrated on an area of smart societal infrastructure, computing and communications, or the food-energy-water nexus.
Segalman’s and Sechadri’s idea takes advantage of sodium’s abundance and safety relative to lithium.
Lithium mining is energy- and water- intensive. Lithium exposure can have dangerous health risks including seizures and long-term side effects on the kidneys and thyroid.
Lithium-ion batteries, if damaged or improperly used, can result in explosions and fires; an especially high risk on airplanes.
Sodium-ion batteries have been in the works for years. A vexing problem, however, has been a lack of appropriate materials for one of the components: the low-voltage electrode.
In seeking an alternate anode material, the battery project dovetails Segalman’s expertise in polymers with Seshadri’s knowledge of high-temperature processing and anode properties.
The team’s first goal is to “employ inexpensive precursors and novel processing techniques to make better and more effective carbons.”
The next stage will be to deploy rapid microwave heating to convert materials into hard carbons.
Finally, they will investigate re-using polymers or plastics so they can use waste plastics, of which there is unfortunately an endless supply.
“You could literally use any plastic, such as bottles or fishing nets, because we’re burning it at a high temperature without oxygen,” explained Segalman in a UCSB publication announcing the grants.
“This project could produce a high-value material that increases the percentage of renewables in the energy pipeline out of something that we don’t need anymore,” adds Seshadri.
Despite these advantages, there are a few obstacles to sodium-ion batteries. They have a lower energy density, such that they store less energy for its size and weight. Batteries have a shorter lifespan, and for now, higher manufacturing costs.
Presumably these disadvantages can be tackled along the way.
Seed grants allow researchers the time and flexibility to test new theories early on and resolve issues as they emerge.
“Nurturing early-stage concepts with modest yet meaningful financial support not only jumpstarts scientific success, but also cultivates and continues the culture of collaboration and discovery that thrives within the IEE and the university,” said IEE director John Bowers.
Collaborative programs such as those awarded by the IEE are essential to the future of applied science and technology.
Rigorous experiments and projects lead to tomorrow’s advancements and new products. Seed Fund grantees are pioneers in next generation technology focused on a sustainable future.
Karen Telleen-Lawton, Noozhawk Columnist
Karen Telleen-Lawton is an eco-writer, sharing information and insights about economics and ecology, finances and the environment. Having recently retired from financial planning and advising, she spends more time exploring the outdoors — and reading and writing about it. The opinions expressed are her own.