Lithium-ion batteries are used pretty much everywhere, from smaller technologies like phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras to bigger technologies just like cars. The former Tesla CTO, JB Straubel, is now working on the way to help solve the world's problems when it comes to e-Waste.
Demand for Lithium-ion Batteries
The problem is also due to a shortage of lithium-ion batteries vaguely looming in the United States. According to the story by CNBC, the former Tesla CTO and the mastermind working behind most of Tesla's core technologies known as JB Straubel have started a company called Redwood Materials back in 2017 that aims to solve a lot of problems.
Who is former Tesla CTO, JB Straubel?
Total Years with Tesla: 15 years
Birthday: December 20, 1975
Roles: Co-founder, Chief Technology Officer
Credentials Bachelor's Degree: Bachelor of Science in Energy Systems Engineering
Credentials Master's Degree: Masters of Science in Energy Engineering
School: Stanford University
Key achievements:
- Led Gigafactory concept
- R&D
- operational expansion from prototypes to mass production
- technology evaluation
- systems validation testing
Other roles:
- Board of Directors at SolarCity
- Lecturer at Stanford University
- CTO and co-founder of Volacom
- Board of QuantumScape
JB Straubel's Vision
While JB Straubel is no longer the CTO of Tesla, the vision that he is pushing is also in line with what Tesla wants to accomplish. Tesla is still pushing towards renewable energy instead of the use of fossil fuels. With Tesla EVs as well as their attempts to sell solar panels blooming, the company is pushing forward towards its ultimate goal of renewable energy.
JB Straubel Redwood Materials
Although Redwood Materials is still fairly new as it started back in 2017, it seems like JB Straubel is also on the right track as the vision is to help reduce e-Waste and provide a more environmentally friendly solution towards lithium-ion batteries. While batteries use electricity which is safer for the environment, the physical batteries themselves are still quite complicated to manufacture.
With the reusable raw materials, fresh batteries can be made out of parts that were already in circulation. This would reduce the need for fresh batteries which still need mining in order to be produced. With JB Straubel's efforts to sell raw materials out of old lithium-ion batteries, batteries could also be sold at more affordable prices, making it more attractive to manufacturers.
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New Venture into Renewable Energy
The general demand for lithium-ion batteries has increased massively over the last five years and is also expected to grow from a starting $44.2 billion market back in 2020 up to $94.4 billion by 2025. According to MarketsandMarkets, the increase is mostly due to the widespread boom in electric cars.
Redwood Materials was reportedly created to solve critical issues that revolve around the need for additional raw materials and the general problem of e-waste. The company works by recycling end-of-life batteries then proceeds to supply raw materials to battery makers and auto companies. This is done to aid the general EV production surge seen all over the world.
JB Straubel has given CNBC a clearer inside look at its very first recycling facility over in Carson City, Nevada. Check out the video to learn more on why battery recycling will become an essential part in the whole EV production process more sustainable.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Urian Buenconsejo
