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Make sure to check out the video of the pink lakes. They look otherworldly!

World News

Australia’s Pink Lakes

Australia is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, and among its most unique natural wonders are its pink lakes. These vivid bodies of water owe their stunning hues to a combination of high salinity levels, the presence of specific algae, and various types of bacteria.

These pink lakes are natural marvels, each offering a unique and picturesque spectacle that highlights Australia's diverse and colorful landscape.

Innovation

Iron Batteries

New research suggests that iron, a common and inexpensive element, could be used in batteries for electric cars and mobile phones instead of scarce and costly materials.

A team co-led by an Oregon State University chemist aims to revolutionize green battery technology by using iron as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries, replacing cobalt and nickel.

The study, published in Science Advances, demonstrates significant benefits, according to Oregon State’s David Ji.

“We’ve enhanced the reactivity of iron, the cheapest metal commodity,” Ji said. “Our electrode offers higher energy density than current cathode materials in electric vehicles.

“Iron costs less than a dollar per kilogram, much cheaper than nickel and cobalt, which are essential in today’s high-energy lithium-ion batteries. This makes our batteries potentially much more affordable.”

Currently, the cathode accounts for 50% of the cost of making a lithium-ion battery cell, Ji noted. Iron-based cathodes also promise greater safety and sustainability.

As lithium-ion battery production ramps up for electric vehicles, demand for nickel and cobalt has skyrocketed. Ji warns that predicted shortages of these metals in the next couple of decades will hinder battery production.

Moreover, the energy density of these elements has nearly peaked—pushing it further could cause batteries to ignite due to oxygen release during charging. Cobalt’s toxicity also poses environmental risks if it leaks from landfills.

Ji and collaborators from various American universities and national laboratories enhanced iron’s reactivity by creating a chemical environment with fluorine and phosphate anions. This blend allows for the reversible conversion of iron powder, lithium fluoride, and lithium phosphate into iron salts, enabling the battery to be recharged.

“Our design breaks the energy density ceiling for more sustainable and cheaper batteries,” Ji said. “We use standard industry salts and iron powder. Implementing this new cathode requires no changes to anodes, production lines, or battery design. We’re simply replacing the cathode.”

While storage efficiency still needs improvement, Ji expects that with further refinements, the result will be a superior, cost-effective, and greener battery.

“If there’s investment in this technology, it could be commercially available soon,” said Ji. “We need industry visionaries to support this emerging field. The world could have a cathode industry based on nearly free iron. Unlike cobalt and nickel, iron doesn’t require recycling—it just rusts.”

Entertainment

Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’

This sequel to the 1988 comedy “Beetlejuice” features the return of Michael Keaton as the eccentric poltergeist. Directed by Tim Burton, the film also brings back Catherine O’Hara as Lydia’s stepmother, Delia.

In a new trailer, Ryder’s character Lydia Deetz and her daughter Astrid, played by Ortega, attempt to summon the unspeakable. When Astrid inquires about Beetlejuice and Lydia warns her against saying his name, Astrid ignores the caution and utters, “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!” – inevitably bringing him back.

The official synopsis reveals that “an unexpected family tragedy brings three generations of the Deetz family” to Winter River, Connecticut, Beetlejuice’s old haunt. When a portal to the afterlife opens in the attic, chaos ensues. “With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem,” the synopsis adds.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is set to hit theaters on September 6, distributed by Warner Bros., a part of Warner Bros. Discovery, like CNN.

Mind Stretchers 

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The answer to yesterday’s Mind Stretcher was:
He tried to destroy the ring!

Gerry Moore got the first answer that was the closest with the answer “he stole the ring”. Other good answers were that the Hobbit would “disappears upon entering the boxing ring” and that “he took the ring”. All very good answers for a rather free form riddle.

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to this email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.