[ubercrap]

http://news.com.com/Start-up+coins+new+ ... g=nefd.top

[Jack]

It appears that they combine sodium with another component to produce a powder - which, in turn, acts as the critical ingredient.

But how much energy does it cost to produce the sodium? How much to process it?

As a battery replacement, it might be a very nice idea. As a replacement for oil...I think EROEI is a problem.

[ubercrap]

Yes, my thoughts exactly.

[I_Like_Plants]

Pure sodium's really hard to make, takes a lot of energy.

[Caoimhan]

It can be done with heat dissociation. A solar concentrator could possibly do it... but a hydrogen-zinc solar engine seems a more likely candidate for energy in that case.