A key resource with multiple applications
A possible game-changer in the energy transition era
Since its discovery in 1801, niobium has always been appreciated for its unique properties. Nowadays, the same characteristics that have allowed its global diffusion could allow it to play a key role in the energy transition, and in particular in the chemical composition of some of the devices most involved in the great change underway: rechargeable batteries.
Over the years, this precious transition metal has become known for its high corrosion resistance and ability to optimize heat and electricity. One of its most appreciated characteristics, especially by industry, is that which has to do with its melting point, which at around 2,468°C is certainly one of the highest. This characteristic, moreover, makes it usable in a variety of applications that require materials that can withstand high temperatures.
Like most of the resources involved in the energy transition, niobium is concentrated in a few areas of the globe, such as Brazil, Canada, and the African continent. This rare metal is generally sourced in the form of minerals such as columbite or pyrochlore, in which niobium is often found aggregated with other elements.
The best-known applications
In a certain sense, the applications of niobium related to the energy transition are quite recent. Over the years, this precious resource has found applications in producing high-strength metal alloys, mainly stainless steel. In this latter sector, niobium is appreciated above all for its ability to improve the corrosion resistance and hardness of the material. Its resistance has also made it a valuable ally in the aerospace industry, where it is used to create the very resistant alloys that make up supersonic aircraft and rockets. However, niobium has also been successfully used in some applications related to advanced technology, such as superconductors. Niobium is leading in creating high-performance superconducting magnets, such as those used in particle colliders and magnetic resonance imaging. In these fields, niobium’s most useful property is its ability to conduct electricity without resistance when cooled to very low temperatures.
However, in the era of energy transition, one of the most interesting applications of niobium is related to electric vehicle batteries, which have been used as an anode material. From this point of view, one of its most interesting applications was presented a few days ago in Australia, in Perth, at the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct, where one of the hybrid vehicles presented contained a battery also made thanks to niobium. As we read in a recent analysis, the material that makes up the anode of these batteries would offer very useful advantages for the storage device’s performance. Among these, as we read in the report, are the high energy densities even at extreme temperatures, making it particularly suitable for use in extreme operating contexts. Another interesting feature, particularly for heavy vehicles, is the duration and overall reliability of the device, which is also guaranteed by several life cycles far higher than average (it would be around 10,000, according to the analysis).
Potential benefits
“A battery that can provide fast charging, high energy density, and long cycle life, such as those made with niobium-based anode materials, offers several operational benefits that are of great importance to end users,” says Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov, a civil engineer and entrepreneur. “One of the most obvious benefits is related to the logistics sector: in vehicles that need to operate almost continuously, such as trucks, buses or sourcing machinery, a battery with fast charging would reduce downtime and maximize operational efficiency.”
Some major players in the field of energy storage have also recently explored the use of niobium in the energy sector, leading to the presentation of the world’s first lithium-ion battery cell with an active niobium-based anode material.
“It is important to underline how such batteries enable a substantial reduction in the need for maintenance of devices, reducing the number of replacements and the amount of waste to be managed,” continues Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “Moreover, some particular vehicles, such as those of public transport, always require stable performance in very demanding operating conditions, just like those they could obtain from a battery with a long cycle life.”
“An interesting aspect, when talking about technological innovations in the field of batteries, is their reach, which almost always extends well beyond the energy sector,” concludes Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “A continuous technological improvement in this field could make possible the creation of new types of vehicles, such as electric airplanes, fully electrified heavy transport vehicles, or advanced urban mobility devices. The application horizons of technologies in the field of batteries are always deeper than they might appear at first glance”.
