A never-before-seen ore containing vast quantities of an element widely used in semiconductors has been found in China in a discovery that could propel new advances in battery technology. Geologists found rare earth metal niobium inside the new ore named niobobaotite from north China’s Inner Mongolia. The rare earth metal is widely used in alloys for jet engines and rockets and has also been shown to have exceptional current conducting properties in low temperatures. Some researchers have said batteries made from niobium have several advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries. The main source of niobium until now has been from the ore mineral columbite that is extracted widely in Canada, Brazil, Australia and Nigeria, with China obtaining nearly 95 per cent of the element for its steel industry via imports. If geologists can prove that sufficient volume and quality of niobium can be extracted from niobobaotite, experts said it could help make China “self-sufficient”, reported the South China Morning Post newspaper. The niobobaotite ore has received official approval from the International Mineralogical Association’s classification committee, according to the China National Nuclear Corporation, a state-run enterprise responsible for overseeing China’s civilian and military nuclear programmes. The Brazilian Metallurgy and Mining Company (CBMM) has been working on new projects towards the use of niobium to make advanced lithium-ion batteries. China’s state news agency Xinhua reported earlier this year that CBMM is partnering with universities, research centres and battery makers to improve the use of the rare earth element in lithium batteries. Niobium batteries are expected to bring several advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries that tend to pose challenges like safety risks, short life cycles and long charging times, Antonio Castro Neto, director of the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Advanced 2D Materials, said earlier this year. “We have made significant progress in our development of niobium-graphene batteries which are proving to be a game changer in safety, efficiency, and sustainability,” Dr Neto said. Researchers said the performance duration of niobium-graphene batteries can be 10 times longer than traditional lithium-ion batteries, thus making them last for an estimated 30 years and make them more durable and reliable as well. These batteries, currently in development, can also be fully charged in less than 10 minutes, they said. “As they have a longer lifespan, the new graphene-niobium batteries significantly reduce total cost of ownership compared to existing lithium-ion batteries and have ultrafast charging capabilities. In addition, they offer higher safety as they do not risk explosion even in high temperatures,” Rogerio Ribas, CBMM’s global head of batteries, said in a statement. Read More China’s ‘government-approved’ AI chatbot says Taiwan invasion is likely Australian-Chinese journalist detained for 3 years in China returns to Australia Driver killed after crashing into Chinese consulate in San Francisco had knives and crossbow EU asks Elon Musk to ‘walk the talk’ on X/Twitter disinformation over Hamas attack Earth hit by a huge solar storm that would devastate civilisation, trees show Viral WhatsApp warning of cyberattack targeting Jewish people is fake

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2023--

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each scored 34 points to power Philadelphia's 114-107 NBA comeback victory...

Vladimir Putin’s troops “may not hold on to Bakhmut,” a military analyst has said. Michael Kofman of the Center for Naval Analyses, a US research group, said Russian forces will “find it difficult to defend” Bakhmut now Wagner mercenary fighters are withdrawing from the city. “And so they may not hold on to Bakhmut, and the whole thing may have ended up being for nothing for them down the line,” he told the War on the Rocks podcast in an interview on Tuesday. Russian forces declared victory in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut last month after a nine-month battle with Ukrainian forces. However, Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar has warned that “the battle for the Bakhmut area hasn’t stopped,” she said. “It is ongoing, just taking different forms.” Maliar said artillery shelling still goes on in Bakhmut at levels similar to those at the height of the battle to take the city. It comes as Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said his men would withdraw from the city, after a dispute with the Kremlin over a lack of ammunition received from Putin’s government. Read More The drone attack on Moscow imperils Putin like never before A six-year-old Ukrainian girl saved by adoption or a murderous adult imposter: Who really is Natalia Grace? The tension between Kosovo and Serbia has deep roots. The EU and US are still struggling to find a solution...

Veteran news anchor Huw Edwards was on Wednesday revealed by his wife as the BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images but police said...

Boxer and OnlyFans model Daniella Hemsley will not take part in this week’s Kingpyn Boxing final after being barred for her topless celebration. However, the 22-year-old has released a statement denying she had been banned and claiming that she stepped down voluntarily. Hemsley flashed the crowd after winning her first boxing match over the weekend and faced criticism for doing so. Now, The Sun reports that Hemsley will not take part in the next stage of the competition. Kingpyn Boxing reportedly faced a statement that reads: "As we strive to bring fans the best influencer boxing events possible, we accept that Saturday’s post-fight incident may have offended some viewers and appreciate that this incident didn’t meet the standards expected from Kingpyn fight nights. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter “We apologize fully to anyone upset during the broadcast. The fighter involved in the incident will not be appearing in the Final event.” Hemsley fought Ms Danielka, also known as Aleksandra Ola Daniel, on Saturday (July 15). After securing the win, Hemsley exposed her breasts inside the ring during the live TV coverage. Speaking after the fight, Hemsley claimed she had permission to do so. Speaking to Alpha Plug, she said: “I got approval from the promoter, and I was only going to do it if I won, and I did and I got over-excited, and yeah, why not?” Hemsley later wrote on Instagram: "I DID IT! Ola definitely didn’t have a walk in the park (her words), but Big respect, that was true WAR! "I also apologies [sic] to anyone who may have felt offended by my excitement, I did actually have tassels on but the sweat stuck them to my bra lol." She has since denied that she has been banned, posting on Instagram: “I just want to personally address the current media speculation. I am NOT banned from Kingpyn, I have made a choice to step down from the Finals fight to take some time away from the heavy training camps, recover some [injuries] and work on my business. “This is only the beginning of my boxing journey and I plan to be back and fighting again in the Autumn/Winter. “I adore all of my fans and thank you for all of the support and love. I see you all x x.” Promoter Eddie Hearn was one of the figures to criticise Hemsley, claiming that her actions had set women’s sport back years. “Unfortunately, we now live in a world where role models, or influencers, are not necessarily doing things that the older generation, which I class myself as, or parents would want your kids to see or think is acceptable,” he told Boxing Social. "I F**KING HATE IT!" - Eddie Hearn GOES MENTAL on Kingpyn Incident, Baumgardner & Matchroom Schedule www.youtube.com Daniella says she was given permission before the bout to do her celebration. Speaking to Alpha Plug after the fight, she said: “I got approval from the promoter, and I was only going to do it if I won, and I did and I got over-excited, and yeah, why not?” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

While disagreements are common between elected leaders and central bankers, they’re unusual in one-party, Communist-run nations. When they

An address is typically required when getting food delivered. Not for Domino's.

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni have worked with a leading neuroscientist this summer in hope of improving their mental abilities. The duo visited Ash Parker while away in the United States this summer.

Nasdaq Stockholm cleared Ericsson AB of any violations regarding the Swedish telecom company’s disclosure of a probe into

Tom Cruise might join Leah Remini on her one-woman quest to bring the Church of Scientology to its knees

Late birdies lifted Cameron Young and Davis Thompson into a share of the clubhouse lead alongside rookie Eric Cole on Thursday in the rain-disrupted first round...