Future Of: The future of energy research with Keletso Monareng
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
It's 10 minutes after 9 o'clock, time for us to look at the future of, and this morning we are talking about the future of energy. Because research coming out of South Africa, specifically the University of Limpopo, was recently recognized at the 7th L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science Awards. They acknowledge Gelidzo Munaring for her research into sodium ion batteries. And she joins us this morning to tell us a little bit more about her career in the STEM field and also this groundbreaking research that's now been recognized on a global stage. Gelidzo, a very great pleasure having you on the show. Good morning. Good morning. Thank you so much for joining us, Kelezo. So, Kelezo, tell us about your research that you were recently acknowledged for at the 7th L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science Awards.
My research uses machine learning, which is a type of smart computer, to accelerate the discovery of new sodium ion battery materials. So we are doing this because with the traditional trial and error or experimental method, it takes time to accelerate materials discovery. So we are trying to come up with new sodium ion battery materials because with the batteries that are used now, like the lithium, they are toxic, they are not environmentally friendly, and they are costly. So with the sodium ion batteries, they are more environmentally friendly, affordable and cheaper.
Yes. And so tell us why this particular topic?
What breakthrough in sodium‑ion battery research won the L'Oréal‑UNESCO award?
When did you become interested in kind of looking at this, you know, this energy source and looking at whether we can find a different way to store and use energy?
I fell in love with this topic the day I learned that energy is not just produce. It can be stored and better storage means brighter homes, stronger economies and an empowered Africa. That curiosity led me to KESU. computational science, now machine learning for sodium and battery discovery. Yeah.
Speak to us about, I guess, the machine learning aspect of your research and your work. I mean, currently we are hearing about machine learning with regards to, for instance, agentic and generative AI and how that's, you know, having an impact on various industries. But tell us, speak to us here about how machine learning is such an important part of your research.
Machine learning is very important because with it, it is envisioned that materials could be accelerated faster than it was done before.
Tell us how that is possible.
With machine learning, we are required to have a large data set. Then the data set can be be able to help you to predict materials properties. For us, we are using the data set of the existing sodium-containing materials. So using the data set of the existing sodium-containing materials, we are able to to generate or come up with the new materials that are not yet reported before.
And so with regards to your research and, you know, why this is also great because of its being, you said it was cheaper, it's environmentally friendly, it's also safer. When we hear sodium ion batteries, is it correct to assume or to think that this also uses, it uses salt? as its resource. Yes. Tell us how the salt then works as an energy resource here and how you turn salt into an energy source.
We are not necessarily using salt only, but we combine it with the other elements. Right. So this sodium, it's The reason I'm saying it's cheaper is because it can be extracted from the earth's crust and the method of extracting it are safer compared to The ones used for lithium ion batteries.
And also in terms of the amount of use that we get, are sodium ion batteries as powerful? Do they last as long as the lithium ion, which is so widespread in terms of its use? Sorry? Are salt, the sodium ion batteries that are currently, that you're researching, would they be able to deliver the same amount of energy for the same amount of time as the lithium ion technology? Does it last as long? Does it last longer? How does it differ to the technology we have now?
The difference is because of its lifespan, it can last longer.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–1:54
2
What breakthrough in sodium‑ion battery research won the L'Oréal‑UNESCO award?
1:54–7:17
3
How is machine learning used to accelerate discovery of new sodium‑ion battery materials?
7:17–9:51
4
Why are sodium‑ion batteries considered cheaper and more environmentally friendly than lithium?
9:51–21:14