Latest news with #MohammedVIPolytechnicUniversity
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Morocco World
Can Morocco Lead the Charge for Ethical, Cobalt-Free Batteries?
Rabat – As the world races toward electrification, the demand for cleaner, cheaper, and more ethical energy storage solutions is growing at lightning speed. Electric vehicles (EVs), grid storage systems, and portable electronics are all powered by lithium-ion batteries. Yet these batteries often rely on controversial and expensive materials like cobalt. The challenge facing scientists and engineers is how to make batteries more sustainable without sacrificing performance. Among the efforts to eliminate cobalt from lithium-ion batteries is the work of a Moroccan researcher, Elhoucine Elmaataouy, from the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), who is contributing to the development of cobalt-free battery technologies. His latest research focuses on a method called fluorine anion doping in single-particle LiNiO ₂ cathodes. The goal is to create high-performance lithium-ion batteries that are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Why move away from cobalt? Cobalt has long been a key ingredient in lithium-ion batteries, particularly in the cathode, which is the part responsible for storing and releasing lithium ions. However, cobalt is both toxic and costly. Most of the global supply comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where mining practices have raised serious ethical concerns , including child labor and environmental damage. 'For cobalt, there are two main issues,' ELMaataouy said. 'The first one is that cobalt is very expensive, and the second one is that it's toxic.' Battery manufacturers and researchers have responded by trying to reduce cobalt content. Since 2010, battery formulations have reduced cobalt usage from 100% in lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) to about 10% in current technologies like NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) and NCA (nickel cobalt aluminum), used in electric vehicles by companies like Tesla. Now, the goal is to go fully cobalt-free while maintaining similar performance. This is where ELMaataouy work stands out. The promise of single-particle LiNiO ₂ and fluorine doping ELMaataouy's research centers around LiNiO ₂ , a nickel-rich cathode material that eliminates cobalt entirely. Though promising, LiNiO ₂ is known for its structural instability, especially when charged and discharged repeatedly. To solve this, Elmaataouy's and co-workers introduced a small amount of fluorine into the structure using a novel process that combines hydrothermal synthesis with ball milling. 'The idea here,' he explained, 'is to enhance the bonding between nickel and oxygen by adding a small amount of fluorine, which makes the structure more resistant to degradation during cycling.' This strategy delivers a 'dual advantage': better structural stability and high capacity retention. It's a major step forward for cobalt-free battery technology. He explained that while the fluorine-doped LiNiO ₂ cathodes are still being tested at laboratory scale, they already show promising results compared to traditional cobalt-based materials. 'We are competitive with NMC and NCA,' he said, 'not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of cost.' What makes fluorine so special? Fluorine is the most electronegative element on the periodic table, meaning it has a strong ability to attract electrons. When a small amount of oxygen in LiNiO ₂ is replaced by fluorine, it strengthens the chemical bonds inside the material, making it less likely to crack or degrade during battery cycling. Using advanced techniques such as operando X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy, some conducted in collaboration with Japan's National Institute for Materials Science, ELMaataouy and co-workers found that the volume changes in the cathode material during charge/discharge cycles were reduced by 2% thanks to fluorine doping. This reduction in volume change means the material lasts longer and remains more reliable. 'We observed that with fluorine, the volume change was reduced around 2%. This is one of the positive impacts of adding fluorine to the lithium nickel oxide structure,' he said. Challenges and next steps Creating a stable, high-performance, cobalt-free cathode is no simple task. One of the biggest technical hurdles is controlling the morphology, or shape and size, of the particles. 'It's very difficult to control the particle morphology,' ELMaataouy admitted. 'We had to optimize everything from ball milling to calcination, making sure the temperature doesn't exceed 800°C to avoid structural issues.' Another challenge was ensuring that fluorine is evenly distributed throughout the material. To do this, the team had to carefully calibrate the ratio of aluminum fluoride used as the precursor. Ongoing research now focuses on finding the maximum amount of fluorine that can be added without disrupting the material's structure. The ultimate goal is to scale this technology from lab-sized coin cells to full battery systems. That's still a few steps away. 'To develop a custom material is not easy,' ELMaataouy said. 'You need to test it under different conditions; temperature, current density, and so on.' ELMaataouy's work is part of a broader push by UM6P to lead cutting-edge energy research in Africa and beyond. Located in Benguerir, UM6P is known for its strong focus on innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and partnerships with both local and international institutions. The university has become a hub for research in sustainable development, materials science, and clean energy. In addition to his work on fluorine doping, ELMaataouy collaborates with other researchers on transforming industrial waste, like vanadium spent catalysts from OCP's sulfuric acid production, into valuable materials for energy storage. These dual efforts highlight a commitment not only to innovation but also to circular economy principles. A Moroccan strategy for battery sovereignty Globally, countries are developing their own strategies to secure battery supply chains. While the US and Europe are pushing cobalt-free and solid-state batteries, Morocco is leaning into its natural resources. As ELMaataouy noted, 'Our country is moving totally from nickel-rich to LFP [lithium iron phosphate], which is 100% iron and phosphate. Morocco is the world leader in phosphate production.' This strategy is pragmatic and sustainable. LFP is cheaper, safer, and more stable, though it has lower energy density than nickel-based chemistries. Meanwhile, research at UM6P ensures Morocco is not just a supplier of raw materials, but also a player in global battery innovation. ELMaataouy hopes to apply this strategy to other battery types, including sodium-ion batteries, and to cathodes like spinel or layered oxides. 'For high nickel NMCs, yes, it can be applied,' he said. 'They belong to the same family as LNO [LiNiO ₂ ], so fluorine doping will also improve performance there.' Battery research is complex and deeply interdisciplinary. ELMaataouy wants the public to understand that these materials are not plug-and-play. They require years of careful testing, tweaking, and engineering. 'The battery consists of different components: cathode, anode, separator, and electrolyte. It's a whole system,' he said. 'And people need to be more aware of how to handle their batteries safely, especially in everyday electronics.' Tags: cobalt free batteriesEV batteriesMoroccoUM6P
Ya Biladi
01-08-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Twenty-four Moroccans to Join École Polytechnique's 2025 class in Paris
Twenty-four Moroccan students who passed the entrance exams for France's prestigious preparatory classes (CPGE) will join the 2025 class of the École Polytechnique in Paris this September, following their successful results in the competitive admissions process. «During the written exams for the 2025 Engineer Polytechnician Cycle at École Polytechnique (Paris), 56 Moroccan candidates were declared eligible. After the oral exams and the publication of final results, 24 Moroccan students from CPGE will join the X 2025 class this September», the school announced in a press release. «These figures confirm the outstanding performance of Moroccan students in École Polytechnique's entrance competition», the statement added. The 24 admitted students will benefit from an exceptional education in science and engineering, complemented by the human and military training that defines the institution's unique model. The press release also highlighted École Polytechnique's strong and long-standing ties with Morocco, particularly through academic and research partnerships with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), one of its key partners in the country. The school also recalled that both institutions have signed cooperation agreements enabling joint initiatives in research, entrepreneurship, and academic collaboration.
Morocco World
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco's Youth Come Forward in Climate Action as LCOY 2025 Concludes in Rabat
Rabat — Over 100 young Moroccans from all 12 regions of the country gathered at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) this week for the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Morocco 2025. The event marked a significant moment for youth engagement in climate action as the country prepares for the upcoming COP30 conference in Brazil. The three-day event, which concluded Friday at the Faculty of Governance, Economic and Social Sciences, brought together young leaders, experts, and decision-makers to address pressing environmental challenges and develop concrete policy recommendations that will be carried forward to the international stage. In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), LCOY Morocco 2025 Communication Director Aya Alami said that it 'is not just an event for us, it's our chance. It's Morocco's chance to show the world that youth actually can make a change.' The conference, endorsed by YOUNGO, the youth constituency of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and supported by Morocco's Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, represents a crucial platform for amplifying young voices in climate policy. LCOY Morocco 2025 Communication Director Aya Alami Bridging Local action with global impact The conference's significance extends beyond national borders, serving as a preparatory platform for COP30, scheduled for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil. Event Director Fouad El Bouari pointed out the conference's role in creating a direct pipeline from local youth engagement to international climate negotiations. 'We gathered more than 100 youths from all over the 12 regions of Morocco to organize a conference about sustainable development in all thematics and topics regarding climate change,' El Bouari explained in an interview with MWN. 'The goal is to come out with logical recommendations that will be prescribed in the Moroccan statements presented to different decision makers and institutions.' LCOY Morocco 2025 Event Director Fouad El Bouari The opening ceremony on Wednesday featured prominent figures, including Nathalie Fustier, Resident Representative of the UN System in Morocco, who delivered what organizers described as a 'compelling speech,' stressing the importance of youth engagement in climate action. Comprehensive climate agenda The conference tackled interconnected environmental challenges through specialized workshops and panels. The first day featured three parallel policy workshops examining the nexus between water, food, energy, and ecosystems; resilient communities and disaster preparedness; and green finance, jobs, and sustainable entrepreneurship. Notable experts participated throughout the program, including Rajae Chafil, former president of 4C Maroc Center and recognized climate change expert, who contributed to discussions on building climate-resilient communities. 'We had the first workshop on a Nexus between water, food, energy, and ecosystems to show how these themes are inherently connected and how one impacts the other,' El Bouari noted, pointing out the conference's holistic approach to environmental challenges. The second day expanded the dialogue with panels covering water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), eco-responsible behaviors, climate crisis and conflict, and climate justice from a Moroccan perspective. A unique feature was mock Conference of Parties (COP) simulations, allowing participants to experience international climate negotiations firsthand. Youth engagement in political processes A standout element of the program was dedicated sessions on climate and political parties, designed to increase youth engagement in Morocco's political landscape. El Bouari explained that this workshop aimed to include 'a type of body that doesn't vote enough in the Moroccan political landscape, to make them more knowledgeable about the political parties and their stances on climate change.' The conference also addressed critical social issues, including safeguarding children's rights in a changing climate and exploring artificial intelligence's potential for social impact. Building Networks for future action The Youth Networking Gala for Climate Action, held Thursday evening, provided participants with opportunities to build lasting connections. Fatima-Ezzahrae Lammat, a second-year student at UM6P's Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences, argued about the significance of networking component in preparing future leaders. Fatima-Ezzahrae Lammat, a second-year student at UM6P's Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences 'What we are really trying to do is to empower youth and give them a voice on the platform, especially those who care a lot about the climate crisis, which is a very pressing matter in today's world and especially in Morocco,' Lammat said in an interview with MWN. From local voices to global stage The conference's outcomes will be consolidated into a comprehensive policy brief containing recommendations from all sessions and workshops. These recommendations will not remain merely academic exercises but will be integrated into Morocco's official positions for COP30. 'All those ideas will be gathered in one policy brief that will actually not just remain words on paper, but it will actually take place on the negotiation table at the COP,' Alami noted, stressing that the conference has a practical impact on policy-making. As Morocco continues to position itself as a leader in African climate action, LCOY 2025 demonstrates the country's commitment to ensuring that young voices are not just heard but actively shape the policy decisions that will determine their environmental future. The conference's legacy will extend far beyond its three-day duration, as its participants carry forward both the knowledge gained and the networks built to continue their climate advocacy at local, national, and international levels. Tags: climate changeMoroccan YouthMoroccoUM6P
Ya Biladi
20-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
UM6P UNESCO and OCP launch 6 million dollar platform for African development
مدة القراءة: 1' The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), in partnership with UNESCO and the OCP Foundation, is launching a pioneering platform dedicated to advancing development agendas with a strong focus on Africa. Announced on July 18 in Benguerir, this initiative comes with a financial commitment of $6 million and marks a tripartite collaboration for 2025-2027. It aims to «consolidate an alliance rooted in a shared determination to address African issues collaboratively». The initiative seeks to «develop projects where education, science, technology, and cultural heritage are integrated as collaborative tools for endogenous, sustainable, and sovereign development», according to an official statement. It is designed to foster «a cooperative dynamic centered around shared values: long-term investment in knowledge systems, the pivotal role of higher education, the enhancement of cultural resources, and the significance of innovation grounded in local realities». In the realm of higher education, the program aims to promote «cross-border academic mobility, joint research production, and the development of academic ecosystems that are less reliant on imported models of excellence». The statement adds that «scholarship schemes, mobility programs, and joint supervision of research projects will be facilitated through Campus Africa, a platform created by UNESCO to foster horizontal collaboration among African universities». Additionally, the initiative seeks to enable «the circulation of talents, knowledge, and educational practices, with the aim of strengthening capacities that are institutionally embedded regionally and connected globally». In the same vein, the Maou'root initiative for cultural heritage «aims to establish a pan-African network of heritage conservation professionals», promoting «community and interdisciplinary models» through targeted training. The collaboration also emphasizes ecosystem restoration through a methodology centered on pilot projects, with selected protected areas in Africa «serving as test sites» for these efforts.
Ya Biladi
19-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
UM6P UNESCO and OCP launch 6 million dollar platform for African development
The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), in partnership with UNESCO and the OCP Foundation, is launching a pioneering platform dedicated to advancing development agendas with a strong focus on Africa. Announced on July 18 in Benguerir, this initiative comes with a financial commitment of $6 million and marks a tripartite collaboration for 2025-2027. It aims to «consolidate an alliance rooted in a shared determination to address African issues collaboratively». The initiative seeks to «develop projects where education, science, technology, and cultural heritage are integrated as collaborative tools for endogenous, sustainable, and sovereign development», according to an official statement. It is designed to foster «a cooperative dynamic centered around shared values: long-term investment in knowledge systems, the pivotal role of higher education, the enhancement of cultural resources, and the significance of innovation grounded in local realities». In the realm of higher education, the program aims to promote «cross-border academic mobility, joint research production, and the development of academic ecosystems that are less reliant on imported models of excellence». The statement adds that «scholarship schemes, mobility programs, and joint supervision of research projects will be facilitated through Campus Africa, a platform created by UNESCO to foster horizontal collaboration among African universities». Additionally, the initiative seeks to enable «the circulation of talents, knowledge, and educational practices, with the aim of strengthening capacities that are institutionally embedded regionally and connected globally». In the same vein, the Maou'root initiative for cultural heritage «aims to establish a pan-African network of heritage conservation professionals», promoting «community and interdisciplinary models» through targeted training.
