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Not about VMT but I thought this may be of interest

Deakin University team winsglobal prize for sodium batteries for low cost transport

A team of early-career researchers from Deakin University havewon a global business competition for developing sodium batteries use for theelectrification of low-cost transport, including scooters, buses andauto-rickshaws in Indonesia.

TheElevenStore team, based at Deakin University’s Institute for FrontierMaterials, was one of two Australian teams selected to compete in the finals ofthe ClimateLaunchpad 2020 competition, gaining acceptance to the EITClimate-KIC Accelerator to develop their battery system, as well as taking outthe competition’s Theme Award for Sustainable mobility.

Theteam developed a low cost sodium battery technology, that seeks to compete as alow cost alternative to lithium batteries, using a material that is abundantand helps reduce the need for more toxic materials. The team said they woulduse the €5,000 prize (A$8,180), and participation in the accelerator program,to help progress their business plans.

Theall-women team from ElevenStore is made up of early-career researchers,including PhD student Karolina Biernacka and the Institute for FrontierMaterials’ Dr Faezeh Makhlooghi Azad, Dr Jenny Sun and Dr Vahide GhanooniAhmadabadi.

Theteam utilised a ‘cutting-edge’ sodium battery technology that had beendeveloped by researchers at Deakin University. Sodium can be used in theproduction of batteries, playing a similar role to that of lithium.