Alagappa University designs sodium-ion powered e-bicycle, a viable alternative to lithium-ion battery
The Hindu
Alagappa University designs sodium-ion powered e-bicycle, a viable alternative to lithium-ion battery
One of its kind electric bicycles designed by Alagappa University, which is powered by sodium-ion batteries, could be seen as a viable alternative to the conventional lithium-ion battery for its non-dependence on critical mineral’s abundance and cost-efficiency.
At a time when electric vehicles are widely suggested as the best alternative to the vehicles that burn petrol and diesel to overcome climate crisis, the sodium-ion battery powered bicycles would further the process in moving towards more sustainable options, claims the team.
The bicycle, which was designed at H2Next, a collaborative cell of the Alagappa University and industry, in its first stage as a pilot study will be introducing the cycle in the market at a minimum number in the coming days.
V Swaminathan, CEO, H2Next, said, “Though the electric vehicles (e-vehicles) in the market are posed as an effective alternative to the petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles, the question of how the battery in the e-vehicles gets charged raises.”
“When electricity is the key source to charge the e-vehicle, the source of the electricity would be mostly coal. Again, the question of the pollution while burning the coal raises,” he pointed out.
Moving further into zero-polluting sources, we chose our battery to be sodium-ion, which is abundant in nature, cost efficient, and non-dependent on critical minerals, he added.
“Though the lithium ions are the highest performing battery technology available in the market, their availability is limited to places like China, Argentina which makes them difficult to access and the price of lithium could also be unaffordable to the manufacturers,” said Mr. Swaminathan.
“We are judges and therefore, cannot act like Mughals of a bygone era ... the writ courts in the guise of doing justice cannot transcend the barriers of law,” the High Court of Karnataka observed while setting aside an order of a single judge, who in 2016 had extended the lease of a public premises allotted to a physically challenged person to 20 years contrary to 12-year period stipulated in the law.
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday declined to interfere, at present, in the investigation against a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, who is among the accused persons facing charges of circulating obscene clips, related to “morphed” images and videos clips related to Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, in public domain through pen drives and other modes.
The 16th edition of Bhoomi Habba was held on June 8, at the Visthar campus. The festival drew a vibrant crowd who came together to celebrate eco-consciousness through a variety of engaging activities, creative workshops, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and performances, all centered around this year’s theme: “Save Water, Save Lives.”