24 Million ILS Secured for Green Energy and Climate Resilience Research
BIU researchers to research next-generation battery technology and innovative climate models to address global energy and environmental challenges
Can sodium batteries free us from dependence on expensive, depleting lithium? Can we predict how an extreme heatwave in Asia will impact flooding in Europe? These are just some of the critical questions being tackled by leading researchers at Bar-Ilan University. Recently, two groundbreaking research projects at the university received a total of 24 million shekels in grants from Israel’s Council for Higher Education (VATAT), aiming to drive significant advancements in environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
A Solution to the Global Lithium Crisis: The Power of Sodium
"If the world had an unlimited supply of lithium, we would have already solved most of our energy challenges," says Professor Doron Aurbach, a globally recognized expert who has published over 800 research papers on battery technology. Aurbach leads a consortium of 17 researchers from seven academic institutions, which has been awarded an impressive 18.2 million shekels to develop viable alternatives to lithium-based batteries.
His research focuses on sodium- and iron-based batteries and efficient lithium battery recycling methods—crucial steps toward a greener and more sustainable energy future. Today’s batteries, which power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, rely on lithium, a rare and rapidly depleting resource. The alternative? Aurbach highlights a solution hidden in plain sight: "Sodium is abundantly available in soil and seawater, making it an almost limitless resource."
How a Heatwave in China Can Trigger Floods in Germany
Another research initiative at Bar-Ilan is tackling the unpredictability of extreme weather events. Dr. Tom Goren, leading a team of researchers, secured 5.6 million shekels in funding for a project that could revolutionize our understanding of climate phenomena.
"Our planet has one complex, interconnected climate system," explains Dr. Goren. "An event in one region can trigger extreme weather thousands of kilometers away." His team employs advanced network theory models to uncover hidden connections between global climate events—such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and flooding.
But Goren’s research goes a step further, exploring potential solutions to mitigate these catastrophic weather events. "We’re investigating innovative engineering approaches, such as cloud brightening over oceans, which could increase solar reflectivity and reduce global temperatures," he says. "The challenge, however, is ensuring that intervention in one region doesn’t unintentionally trigger disasters elsewhere."
Pioneering Climate and Energy Innovation at Bar-Ilan University
These research projects place Bar-Ilan University at the cutting edge of climate and energy innovation, offering real solutions in the fight against global climate change. By addressing the urgent need for sustainable energy storage and advanced climate modeling, these pioneering efforts bring hope for a more resilient and environmentally sustainable future for us all.