How are we building a sustainable future? | Nishita Baliarsingh & Nikita Baliarsingh | TEDxSCBMCH
## Speaker Context * Speaker role: Co-founder of the company behind the technology. * Speaker established framing: The discussion is about solving major existing flaws in Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India and globally, particularly focusing on the battery component. ## People * Speaker (Self): Co-founder, involved in the research, development, and execution of the technology. * Nikita: Co-founder, discussed the initial research on EVs with the speaker. * Farmers: Individuals who burn crop residue, generating a pollution concern that the technology aims to address. ## Organizations * None mentioned with relevance to the speaker's role beyond the implication of being a commercial product. ## Places * Delhi: Location where the speaker observed companies launching electric concept cars. * Detroit: Location where the speaker observed companies launching electric concept cars. * India (Northern part of India): Region experiencing severe air pollution issues, particularly during winters, linked to crop residue burning. * Northern plains: Region possessing plenty of protein-rich crop residue. ## Tools, Tech & Products * Electric concept cars: Vehicles displayed at auto expos. * EVs: Electric Vehicles. * Battery pack: The component identified as the core problem area in current EV technology. * Lithium-ion battery pack: Existing, current battery technology being compared against the new solution. * Protein crystal batteries (Nexus batteries): The proposed, novel battery technology utilizing proteins. * Prototype cells: Initial rudimentary elements assembled for testing (anode, cathode, electrolyte, separator). * 48 volt battery pack: The size of the initial prototype assembly tested. ## Concepts & Definitions * Biomimicry: The concept of deriving inspiration from natural processes (e.g., human body functions) to build man-made products. * Industrial Ecology: A sustainability concept where the waste material of one industry is used as the raw material of another, aiming for a purely circular, full closed economy with no waste. * Protein (as a material): Identified as a nutrient that the body uses for energy transfer, and which can be used to construct the battery, offering biodegradability. * Circular full closed economy: An economic model characterized by having no waste. * Air Quality Index (AQI): A measurement used to track and report air quality concerns, particularly in Northern India. ## Numbers & Data * 2010: Year since the speaker and co-founder started looking at EVs. * 2011: Year mentioned regarding looking at companies launching electric concept cars. * Five to six hours: Duration estimated for charging an electric vehicle (according to initial concerns). * Few kilometers: Range cited as barely achievable after a long charge time. * Three and a half to four hours: Charging time for a battery pack mentioned in comparison to ICE vehicles. * 20 years: Timeframe cited for the end of the life cycle of lithium-ion cells. * Seven to eight years: Lifespan given for a battery pack using current technology. * 100 kilometers: Range capability of the Nexus batteries for two-wheelers per charge. * 60-70 kilometers: Range cited for a two-wheeler using a lithium-ion battery pack per charge. * Couple of thousands: Additional income benefit provided to farmers by the process. ## Claims & Theses * EVs are not being bought frequently enough despite technological advancements. * The problem is not in the vehicle as a whole but in one component: the battery pack. * The chemical composition of current batteries is toxic and does not degrade comfortably in the environment. * Lithium is not procured from India, making the battery and vehicle expensive. * Current battery life cycles leave cells that cause toxicity hazards in the environment. * Human energy system (food -> energy -> used -> replenished) is very similar to how a battery pack functions. * Biomimicry can be applied to build a battery that is biodegradable. * Air pollution in Northern India is significantly caused by the crop residue burned by farmers, not solely by ICE vehicles. * Merging the use of crop residue with battery technology could be the best solution. * Protein is a quick recharging element for batteries, compared to lithium-ion or lead-acid. * Nexus batteries are completely biodegradable and can be put into the soil to degrade completely. * Procuring crop residue can significantly decrease the AQI of Northern India's plains. * The protein-based batteries offer a better charging time (e.g., one hour vs. 4-5 hours for Li-ion home charging). * The Nexus batteries offer a better range (over 100 km vs. 60-70 km for Li-ion two-wheelers). * The product is completely made in India, reducing cost and benefiting the national economy. * Entrepreneurship requires emotional strength, stability, and documented records, not just ideas or funds. * A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not where it is meant to be. ## Mechanisms & Processes * EV concept: Vehicles displayed at auto expos showing future designs. * Energy Cycle (Human/Battery): Food enters $\rightarrow$ Energy created $\rightarrow$ Energy stored $\rightarrow$ Energy used $\rightarrow$ Energy replenished/recharged. * Charging (Battery): Ions flow from one element to another in a socket, storing energy. * Bio-Battery Construction: Attempting to mimic natural energy storage/transport using proteins instead of relying solely on lithium-ion chemistry. * Pollution Reduction Workflow: Procuring crop residue $\rightarrow$ Using it to extract necessary materials $\rightarrow$ Reducing the pollution burden from burning. * Battery Testing Process: Assembling basic components (anode, cathode, electrolyte, separator) into cells $\rightarrow$ Testing two cells for viability $\rightarrow$ Scaling up to 200+ cells in a 48V pack for road testing. ## Timeline & Events * 2010-2011: Period when the speaker and co-founder began researching EVs after seeing concept cars displayed. * 2018: Year when the speaker and Nikita were discussing the persistent lack of EVs on the road. * Past several years: Timeframe of research and hard work leading to current prototypes. * Next century: Timeframe mentioned for the potential environmental benefit from biodegradable batteries. * By 2026 or 2027: Potential timeline for achieving government-projected goals for the EV sector. ## Examples & Cases * Observing auto expos in Delhi and Detroit: Initial observation point regarding concept cars. * Human Body Energy Cycle: The biological process of consuming food, converting it to energy, and replenishing it. * Lithium-ion battery life cycle: Deposing cells after 7-8 years, leading to environmental hazards. * Crop residue burning: Concrete example of pollution source in the northern plains of India. * Initial testing: Testing two battery cells which "came out promising." * Scaling Up: Building out approximately 200+ cells into a 48V battery pack for testing. ## Trade-offs & Alternatives * **Current EVs:** Pro: Concept designs available. Con: Charging time (5-6 hours); Low range; Lack of infrastructure; Toxic/non-degradable battery components. * **ICE Vehicles:** Pro: Established reliability (implied). Con: Reliance on exhaustible resources. * **Lithium-ion Batteries:** Pro: Current industry standard (baseline). Con: Toxic composition; Not biodegradable; Requires external sourcing (Lithium); Limited lifespan (7-8 years). * **Protein Crystal Batteries:** Pro: Biodegradable; Fast charging; High range; Made from local waste (crop residue); Low cost potential. Con: Concept needing rigorous commercial scaling proof. ## Counterarguments & Caveats * Despite understanding the problems, the initial conclusion was that the issue was *not* the vehicle design itself. * The assumption that EV acceptance is low, when perhaps the real issue is the battery component. * It is difficult to present a market solution that is as effective as existing technology while also being radically different. * The government's projected targets might be achievable earlier than anticipated (by 2026/2027 vs. 2030). * The success of the technology relies on the ability to procure crop residue residue waste. ## Methodology * Research through courses: Utilizing knowledge gained from sustainable management courses for a green/clean technology paper. * Literature review/Industry study: Analyzing current EV market and limitations. * Biomimicry Analysis: Analyzing natural biological processes (human metabolism) to inform product design. * Proof of Concept (PoC) Testing: Setting up the structure in a lab environment to build and test initial cells and then a larger pack. * Scaling/Validation: Progressing from basic cells to a 48V prototype for rigorous testing. ## References Cited * None explicitly cited in the transcript (speaker refers to general courses and scientific understanding). ## Conclusions & Recommendations * The core breakthrough required is changing the battery pack itself. * The technology should be used to provide a perfect solution that addresses multiple issues simultaneously. * The Nexus batteries, by being biodegradable and rechargeable from local waste, provide an "additional income of a couple of thousands" for farmers. * Founders must maintain meticulous records (paperwork, documents, financial clarity) to maintain credibility. ## Implications & Consequences * If the technology is implemented: It will significantly improve the Air Quality Index in the northern plains of India. * If the technology is implemented: It will boost the growth of the agriculture industry by offering a commercial path for waste. * If the technology is implemented: It could accelerate the timeline for global EV adoption goals. * Failure to document processes: Leads to vulnerability if questioning occurs, threatening commercial viability. ## Open Questions * How to transition from a successful PoC lab prototype to a fully scaled, commercial mass-produced product? * Whether the concept can maintain its performance characteristics while remaining accessible and affordable for the middle-class segment. ## Verbatim Moments * "we've been listening about so much of evs and concepts and we've been looking at models and designs and all of that stuff but we still don't uh get to see eevees seeing the day in the globe" * "we need to find out what the problems are behind the acceptance of evie in india specifically in huge nation" * "it is not in the vehicle as a whole but in one component of that vehicle which is the battery pack" * "by just replacing the battery pack in the cars right with the battery bag which actually is you know you can call it more like the heart of the car" * "this is a very similar concept in both the ends" * "let's not look at metals and let's go beyond that into uh biomimicry as it is normally referred to" * "a pure circular full closed economy you don't have any waste" * "The Nexus batteries are capable of going beyond 100 kilometers per charge" * "a ship in the harbor is safe but that is not where it is meant to be"