Mercedes-Benz funds research into burned rice hulls for batteries

In Michigan, a team of researchers has determined that burned rice hulls could help batteries store more charge and help create a domestic source of material to replace graphite in lithium-ion or sodium-ion battery anodes.

The team at  University of Michigan, with funding from National Science Foundation and the Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, found that ash from the hard outer layer of rice grains could nearly double the energy density of typical lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries.

“Rather than importing graphite mined from China or Mexico, rice hull ash could provide a higher quality domestic material for making battery electrodes,” according to a release on Eurekalert. “The process is also more sustainable than producing graphite from biomass, which must be heated to 2000°C (3600°F) or higher—producing five to 10 tons of CO₂ for every ton of battery-grade graphite.”

About 20 billion pounds of rice are grown annually in the United States. 

The team has applied for patent protection with the assistance of U-M Innovation Partnerships and is seeking partners to bring the technology to market.