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☆ Here's how EV batteries can be given a second life
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Sydney Boyo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

China also accounts for over 70% of global EV battery production capacity, meaning the U.S. is heavily dependent on imports of batteries and battery minerals. It estimates that the lifetime of an EV battery is around 12 to 15 years in moderate climates. The company now has over 400 employees and offers what it calls a "one-stop solution" for used and faulty EV batteries. The company wouldn't disclose the number of battery packs it's capable of storing but said it handles on average 15 thousand battery packs and modules per month. "When I think about the future of EV battery recycling specifically, I see it as an increasingly competitive space," Malloy said.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe rise of dumb phonesDumb phones are growing in popularity in the U.S., and they still make up about a quarter of mobile phones actively in use worldwide. Affordability in developing countries is a significant benefit, but their resurgence in the U.S. may be tied to concerns about the mental health impact of smartphones, especially among younger generations.

The American EV market is small in comparison to operations in China and Europe. In 2021, the U.S. accounted for less than 10% of new global EV registrations, while China accounted for 50% and Europe 35%. China also accounts for 70% of the world's global EV battery production capacity, meaning that the U.S. is heavily dependent on imports of battery minerals. However, a number of companies are currently working on ways to recycle lithium-ion batteries including Spiers New Technologies, or SNT which focuses on remanufacturing, refurbishing, repurposing and recycling EV batteries. With the demand for critical minerals such as graphite, lithium and cobalt expected to increase by 2050, extending the life of an EV battery can be an important step to reduce the need for mining.

Zimbabwe has been mining lithium for 60 years and the government estimates that its Chinese-owned Bikita mine, which is located 300 km south of the capital Harare, has about 11 million metric tons of lithium resources. In December, the country passed the Base Mineral Export Control Act, which banned the export of raw lithium. However, companies that are already developing mines or processing plants in Zimbabwe are exempt from this ban. This includes Chinese firms Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt , Sinomine Resource Group and Chengxin Lithium Group , which have invested $678 million into lithium projects in Zimbabwe. CNBC explores Zimbabwe's mining sector to find out why China has a stronghold on the country and why it matters to the U.S.

☆ Is the U.S. falling behind China in Africa’s lithium industry?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Sydney Boyo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The demand for lithium is rising as it has become a critical component needed in electric vehicle batteries. Zimbabwe has been mining lithium for 60 years and the government estimates that its Chinese-owned Bikita Minerals Mine, which is located 300 kilometers south of the capital Harare, has about 11 million metric tons of lithium resources. In December 2022, Zimbabwe passed the Base Mineral Export Control Act that banned the export of raw lithium. That includes Chinese firms Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt , Sinomine Resource Group and Chengxin Lithium Group which have invested $678 million into lithium projects in Zimbabwe. Both the Bikita mine, which is the largest lithium mine in the country, and the Arcadia Lithium mine are Chinese owned.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWhy United Airlines-backed Archer Aviation thinks eVTOLs could replace helicoptersWith an estimated 200 companies working on them, eVTOLs are taking the aviation industry by storm. And while vertical lift aircraft have existed for more than a century in the form of helicopters, eVTOLs could disrupt the $49 billion industry in certain segments due to their cheaper maintenance and operating costs. CNBC spoke with one startup, Archer Aviation, which is backed by United Airlines, about why these new aircraft could change how people travel.

☆ How San Francisco can tackle two of its biggest issues: office vacancies and housing
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Sydney Boyo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"Prior to the pandemic, in the city of San Francisco, our office vacancy rate was about 4%. San Francisco has been referred to as the work-from-home capital of the United States, with the American Community Survey finding that 46% of employees in San Francisco worked from home in 2021, up from 7% in 2019. Under the Housing Element, the state of California is mandating that San Francisco build 82,000 new units of housing, including affordable units meant for low-income residents, by 2031. "The rents that you can get for a life sciences lab space are much higher than office space. The San Francisco mayor said the problem is that it takes a long time to build housing, especially given all the requirements.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow cloud seeding can help alleviate droughtStates and utility companies are investing in "cloud seeding" — a way to artificially increase precipitation in the drought-ridden American West and worldwide. By seeding storm clouds with a substance called silver iodide, it's possible to increase the efficiency of storms by 5% to15%. It's no cure for drought, but it can be a valuable water management tool. As winter gets underway, cloud seeding operations are ramping up across the country.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow China came to dominate the U.S. in smartphone manufacturingChina has controlled the smartphone manufacturing market for years. While some industries, like the semiconductors, are scrambling to build new factories across the U.S., tech giants like Apple and Google are not making the same effort. CNBC explores why phones are built abroad and whether production should move to America. And CNBC visits a startup, Purism, at its Carlsbad, California factory to take a look inside its smartphone manufacturing facility.

☆ Why the U.S. trails China in phone manufacturing
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Sydney Boyo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

It's the most commonly used device by Americans every day, but domestic tech companies don't seem to be investing in making these devices at home. China is the faraway leader in global manufacturing. While many tech companies have opted to manufacture products abroad, one U.S.-based company is defying conventional wisdom and building local. Purism makes the Librem 5 USA model phone, which is the only smartphone in the world with the "Made in USA" stamp. Watch the video to learn more about why the U.S. trails China in phone manufacturing.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWhat happened to BlackBerry? For years, BlackBerry was the most popular smartphone brand in the U.S. After failing to adjust to the rapidly-changing industry and falling to competitors like Apple and Google, the company pivoted to an entirely new direction. Now, it's focused solely on software and cybersecurity — trying to leave the iconic cellphones in the past. CNBC visited BlackBerry's Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Center and interviewed CEO John Chen to see what the company is up to now.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWhat's driving early-voter turnout in AtlantaMany people are watching Atlanta in the lead-up to 2022's midterm elections. Races for key seats in the U.S. Congress alongside a rematch for the state governor's office have animated voters. In addition, serious concerns over such issues as inflation, voting rights, health care and abortion are drawing people to the polls in droves. If Republican candidates manage to flip seats in the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, a new era of gridlock could unfold in Washington.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailInside the world's first affordable solar electric vehicleGermany company Sono Motors plans to bring the world's first affordable solar-powered EV to market in Europe in mid-2023. Priced at $25,000, the Sion features 465 integrated solar half-cells, as well as a lithium iron phosphate battery with a 190 mile range. The company estimates that on average, solar power can fuel an additional 70 miles of driving per week. Sono hopes to bring the Sion to the U.S. market soon.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow Amazon private labels work, from AmazonBasics to its 100+ other owned brandsAmazon has 118+ private label brands, some that carry the Amazon name and others cleverly disguised without it. It's been accused of scraping seller data to make nearly identical versions of bestselling brand-name items, like Peak Design's Everyday Sling Bag. But Amazon says it's continuing to invest in its own brands, despite rumors its scaling back to appease regulators. Here's how private labels work, and why experts say the high margin products like AmazonBasics batteries are going nowhere.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe startups still betting space mining will bring in big bucksJust a couple of years ago, it seemed that space mining was inevitable. Analysts, tech visionaries and even renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson predicted that space mining was going to be big business. But fast forward to 2022, and humanity has yet to commercially mine even a single asteroid. CNBC spoke to two California startups, AstroForge and TransAstra, about how they are trying to make space mining a reality and the challenges they face.

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