Sodium
Element 11 · chemical symbol: Na
These Vrulum profiles mention Sodium by name. Read each profile for its specific context; a mention alone does not establish composition, performance or use of the pure element.
For periodic-table data and other properties, consult the Royal Society of Chemistry periodic table.
Related technology profiles
Electrolysers for low-carbon hydrogen
Electrolysers use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Alkaline and proton-exchange-membrane systems are commercially available, while solid-oxide and anion-exchange-membrane designs offer different trade-offs and maturity levels. Hydrogen is only low emissions when the electricity and wider supply chain are low emissions; project announcements and electrolyser capacity do not by themselves establish climate benefit or delivered hydrogen output.
Enhanced rock weathering
Enhanced rock weathering spreads finely crushed silicate rock, such as basalt, on farmland so that it dissolves and locks CO2 into carbonate. Field trials show measurable removal and some yield gains, but removal is mostly calculated rather than measured, and estimates of scale and cost vary widely.
Lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries store and release electricity by moving lithium ions between two electrodes, and they power electric cars. Their cost and energy density keep changing, but fire risk, dependence on nickel-containing chemistries and recycling that is still developing remains an open limit.
Ocean alkalinity enhancement
Ocean alkalinity enhancement adds alkaline material to seawater so that the sea takes up more carbon dioxide from the air. Small field trials and early carbon credits exist, but the removal in those credits was calculated with models rather than measured, ecological effects depend on the material used, and the legal framework is still being developed.
Sodium-ion batteries
Sodium-ion batteries store energy by shuttling sodium ions between two electrodes, much as lithium-ion batteries do with lithium. They use abundant materials and manufacturers now claim early mass production, but they still store less energy per kilogram than the best lithium-ion cells.
Transparent wood
Transparent wood is wood in which the light-absorbing lignin has been removed or chemically modified and the open porous structure is filled with a clear polymer, so that light can pass through. Laboratory samples reach up to about 90% total transmittance, but high haze, limits on thickness and unproven outdoor durability keep it at research and prototype stage.