Exclusive: Scientists Turn Cow Hair Into Revolutionary Lithium Batteries

By Hernán Panessi via El Planteo, adapted for Benzinga

In an innovative scientific breakthrough, Argentine researchers have successfully converted cow hair, typically a waste product from tanneries with an unpleasant odor, into lithium batteries, widely used by companies like Tesla TSLA. This pioneering work has been compared to modern alchemy, drawing parallels with ancient efforts to turn metals into gold.

Starting with cow hair, which is formally a tannery waste, the researchers subjected it to a simple washing process, followed by a more complex chemical procedure in the laboratory. "First, a wash is done to eliminate any contaminants, then it's dried, and afterward, two thermal treatments are performed (in the absence of oxygen) and a stage of 'activation' in the middle. This results in a material that is primarily carbon (biochar) and some oxygen," detailed Dr. Victoria Bracamonte, a federally-funded researcher and assistant professor at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.

In this activation phase, they generated a very porous material where sulfur was infiltrated. "This new mixture (composite) is what we use to prepare the cathodes of lithium-sulfur batteries," added Bracamonte.

One of the key benefits of this discovery is the potential for sustainable waste management. The tanning industry produces about 85 kg of residual hair for every 1000 kg of wet leather. Thus, reutilizing this waste becomes its primary virtue.

Furthermore, these batteries are designed with more environmentally friendly materials and boast a higher capacity while being lighter. This could make them suitable for more massive transportation methods, even potentially in aviation. These batteries are also expected to cater to the burgeoning electric vehicle industry.

The research group, which includes Guillermina Luque, Andrea Calderón, Melina Cozzarin and Bracamonte, has been working on producing biochars in collaboration with Y-TEC (YPF-Tecnologías) since 2017.

The research's foundation was an unexpected offer: “I have a friend who works in a tannery and asked if we wanted cow hair.” Recognizing this as a potential resource, the team set out on their journey to develop more sustainable batteries.

Currently, with the invention patented, the professional team, which also comprises chemist Ezequiel Leiva and physicist Daniel Barraco, is working in the United States, aiming for the widest possible reach. Bracamonte highlighted, "Considering the leather production we have, this could be a significant contribution to the country." Projections indicate that within a decade, lithium-sulfur batteries will coexist in the market alongside current ion-lithium technology.

To simplify, a lithium battery made from cow hair works thus: "The batteries consist of two electrodes: an anode and a cathode. We use the cow hair to produce a biochar, which is impregnated with sulfur and used as the battery's cathode," Bracamonte explained.

While the researchers continue to work at a laboratory scale, they are actively seeking investors to explore new avenues. Their next steps include commercializing the patent and further research to address some challenges on the anode side to present a complete battery version.

More from El Planteo:

• Tesla Stock: Todo Sobre las Acciones de TSLA
• Santiago Siri: ‘el Software se está Comiendo al Mundo’
• Luli Trujillo, la Periodista que Revoluciona la Televisión Argentina