Guy Youngs
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Zwitterions May Be Key To Solid-State Batteries

Guy Youngs Liquid electrolytes have been key EV batteries for some time now and the lithium-ion formula is the most important component. There are a lot of different formulae that do various things such as the removal of toxic inputs from the supply chain, or reductions in weight, elimination of fire hazards, and cutting costs.
The ultimate goal is to combine all these improvements in one electrolyte, but solid state or semi solid state batteries are appearing before that goal can be achieved and they promise to revolutionize the battery market. But, getting the electrons to move about within a solid is difficult at best. And that’s where Zwitterions come in.
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Graphene Aluminum-Ion Battery Boosts Energy Density
One of the new battery technologies is graphene aluminum-ion battery which is designed specifically with rapid charging in mind. Graphene aluminum-ion batteries avoid the use of lithium and copper, instead using aluminum substrates and a newly developed chloride-free electrolyte. This enables cost and weight reduction, improved safety risks, and eliminates the need for thermal management system. The battery has similar performance characteristics as lithium titanate oxide cells, but can be produced at a much lower cost
The technology works by making atomic sized holes in the graphene, which allows the aluminum ions to penetrate and be held in the graphene to make a higher energy density, thus enabling them to outperform standard lithium batteries.
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The Fast Lane: 3 Ways To Get More Critical Minerals
In modern life, thousands of products (ranging from mobile phones to missiles, or fertilizer even) depend on a few critical minerals such as copper, cerium, rare earth elements and potash. Governments around the world consider these essential to their economy and national security, and their supply chains can be disrupted by geopolitical tensions, extreme weather, or trade restrictions.
For instance, in 2026, the U.S. critical minerals list include 60 minerals that companies in defense, agriculture, power, mining, and other industry sectors, need to get their jobs done. But spiking demand, restricted access, and rising prices can make it challenging to get these minerals
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A Closer Look at CATL’s New Sodium-Ion Battery
CATL unveiled a new sodium-ion battery for energy storage at the ESIE 2026 show in Beijing, in April. The show is the 14th Energy Storage International Conference and Expo (ESIE). ESIE was born alongside the development of China’s energy storage industry and serves as a key communication and cooperation platform in the energy storage field.
CATL’s new battery expands its sodium-ion lineup beyond passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and auxiliary power, into utility-scale and commercial storage.
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A Failed Experiment? Biofuels Under Spotlight

Guy Youngs On March 31, EU ministers met to discuss the global shortage of around 11million barrels of oil per day. At the meeting, European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen urged nations to outline measures to reduce the use of oil and gas, particularly in transportation. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused panic within Europe. As a result, the EU has been advised to consider biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels.
Unlike America, Europe is struggling to find sources of oil that are either not in Russia nor the Middle East. As a result the European Union has been advised to look again at Biofuels.
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As Fossil Fuel Supplies Falter, Renewables Increase
This article reviews how China is helping Cuba shift its dependence from oil to renewable energy, by a series of massive solar parks (92 in total) with a combined output of 2,000 MW (or roughly Cuba’s entire current thermal generation from burning fossil fuels.
China has also committed to installing 10,000 photovoltaic systems for isolated homes and critical facilities. China is also investing in Cuba’s wind farms.
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US Battery Recycler Lands $1.1B Metals Refining Deal
In Tokyo, at the first Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum, Nth Cycle (a critical metals refining company) signed a massive US$1.1 billion, 10 year, agreement to provide recycled battery metals.
Refining battery metals in the US and Europe has been difficult to scale up because the more traditional refineries often require billions of dollars in upfront investment, take a long time to get all the necessary permits and require huge amounts of material in order to be profitable.
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Oil Crisis Makes Drivers Reconsider Electrics
The US-Israeli attack on Iran, and Iran’s retaliation has caused a massive rise in the costs of petrol and diesel. In the UK, petrol is up around 30% and diesel is up around 50%. In the USA, average gas prices were up by 33% in early April
There seems to be a never ending cycle of oil-related problems. In 2008, supply, demand and speculation caused a massive price hike. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine causing another oil price hike. And now, the US-Israeli attack on Iran has driven yet another price hike. The fundamental problem is that transportation remains totally dependent on oil, and oil prices are set by a very volatile global market.
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Alternative Power Report, April 2026
The April 2026 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research and authored by Guy Youngs, features articles on problems with biofuels in Europe and how drivers consider EVs again. Read these articles and more in the April 2026 issue of Alternative Power Report today. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
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Alternative Power Report, March 2026
In the March 2026 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research and authored by Guy Youngs, you'll find articles on plug-in hybrid research, long-run tests of PV-powered refrigerated trailers, comparison tests of EV batteries, cutbacks in Bosch China operations, and the changing cost differential between Chinese and EU batteries. Read these articles and more in the March Alternative Power Report today. PS…
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