New research compiled from AI-powered supply chain risk platform Infyos has revealed that 75 per cent of the lithium-ion battery supply chain may be linked to severe human rights abuses.

Human Rights Abuses – Forced (and Child) Labour 

Infyos’s analysis, which drew on government datasets, NGO reports, news articles, social media, and proprietary data, has revealed widespread human rights abuses in resource-rich countries where raw materials such as lithium and cobalt are mined and refined for lithium-ion batteries. These abuses, particularly involving forced and child labour, were found to be most prevalent in the early stages of the supply chain, notably during the extraction and processing of these critical materials.

Where? 

According to the analysis, much of this abuse appears to be concentrated in regions like Xinjiang, China, and countries with fragile governance, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Xinjiang, allegations of forced labour are particularly severe, with accusations that many companies operating in the region are complicit. For example, it’s been suggested that companies that mine and refine lithium and cobalt in these regions may be involved in labour abuses, including instances where children as young as five are engaged in dangerous mining activities.

Link To The Battery Industry 

The demand for lithium-ion batteries has surged in recent years primarily due to the increased production of electric vehicles (EVs), the growth of renewable energy storage systems, and the expansion of portable electronic devices like smartphones and laptops. Governments and industries pushing for decarbonisation and net-zero emissions targets have also further driven this demand.

The battery industry’s connection to the alleged human rights abuses highlighted by Infyos stems from manufacturers sourcing components or materials from potentially unethical companies within their supply chain. These unethical practices are further obscured by complex business relationships, such as joint ventures or equity investments, where shifting ownership structures make it difficult to uncover the true extent of the exploitation.

As highlighted by Sarah Montgomery, CEO & Co-Founder, Infyos: “The relative opaqueness of battery supply chains and the complexity of supply chain legal requirements means current approaches like ESG audits are out of date and don’t comply with new regulations”. Sarah Montgomery added: “Most battery manufacturers and their customers, including automotive companies and grid-scale battery energy storage developers, still don’t have complete supply chain oversight.” 

So Many Suppliers 

One of the challenges that electric vehicle and battery manufacturers may have in identifying their supply chain risks is that they often have very complex supply chains, perhaps as many as 10,000 suppliers across their network, from mines to chemical refineries and automotive manufacturers. Human rights abuses upstream, e.g. at the raw materials stage (as identified by Infosys) may therefore be difficult to spot.

Not Just Infyos 

Infyos isn’t alone in suggesting human rights abuses in the lithium-ion battery supply chain. For example:

– Back in 2016, Amnesty International exposed child labour and hazardous working conditions in cobalt mining in the DRC, showing that some of the world’s largest electronics and automotive companies have not adequately addressed these risks.

– In 2023, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre reported human rights violations and environmental damage related to lithium and cobalt mining in China, South America, and the DRC, with forced (and child) labour commonly involved.

– Also in 2023, Radio Free Asia reported uncovering human rights abuses and ecological damage in nickel mining in Indonesia and the Philippines, which provide critical materials for lithium-ion batteries, impacting local communities’ health and livelihoods.

Scrutiny 

However, the global battery supply chain is now under increasing scrutiny, particularly from regulators in Europe and the US. This is primarily due to growing concerns about human rights abuses such as forced (and child) labour in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and China’s Xinjiang region. Legislation such as the EU Battery Regulation and the US Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA) are pushing companies to improve supply chain transparency and accountability. Non-compliance with these laws can result in products being blocked from key markets and heavy penalties, which could damage the reputation of the battery industry and slow down the energy transition. For example, companies are now at risk of losing investor confidence and facing financial penalties if they fail to manage these risks, with many already struggling to meet these stringent regulatory requirements.

What Can Be Done? 

To tackle these challenges, companies must adopt proactive measures to ensure ethical sourcing throughout their supply chains. This could include enhanced due diligence, where firms closely monitor their suppliers and implement robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies. Collaborating with independent auditors, utilising AI-based supply chain risk management tools like those provided by Infyos, and fostering stronger partnerships with suppliers may also be essential strategies. Also, companies must comply with emerging regulations, such as the battery passport system in the EU, which mandates rigorous supply chain traceability by 2027. By doing so, firms can not only avoid penalties but also align with investor expectations and contribute to a more sustainable future.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

With alternative battery types still some way off, as the demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to grow, so too does the urgency to address the human rights abuses linked to their supply chains. The findings from Infyos, alongside investigations by organisations like Amnesty International and the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, serve as shocking reminders of the ethical complexities and the suffering behind these critical technologies. The global shift towards electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions must not be built on exploitation.

However, regulatory pressure is mounting, and companies that fail to ensure transparency and ethical sourcing will face significant reputational and financial risks. The path forward therefore does appear to be clear. By embracing stringent due diligence practices, enhancing supply chain visibility through AI-powered tools, and adhering to emerging regulations like the EU Battery Regulation, the industry can foster a more responsible and sustainable future. That said, in the real world, many companies may be deterred by the high costs of implementing such measures, especially in complex global supply chains. The vastness and opacity of these networks, coupled with competitive pressures to keep costs low, may make ethical sourcing less of a priority. Also, inconsistent enforcement of regulations and varying levels of consumer concern about supply chain ethics could further reduce the incentive for businesses to fully embrace transparency and accountability that’s needed.

Ultimately, the energy transition depends not only on technological innovation but also on a commitment to human rights and ethical practices. For the battery industry to truly support a greener future, it must first ensure that its foundations are just and free from exploitation.

Following its recent release, Apple’s latest macOS update, dubbed Sequoia (macOS 15), has disrupted the functionality of several widely used cybersecurity tools, including those from CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, and Microsoft.

Users and developers have voiced frustrations on social media and in Mac-focused forums about issues leaving many security applications non-operational. Reports highlight problems with tools like CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender, and ESET, alongside browser issues, particularly with Firefox, where the OS firewall sometimes blocks web access. The root cause is unclear, but the disruptions are creating significant challenges for both end-users and enterprise security teams.

The key issue seems to stem from changes Apple has made in Sequoia’s network stack, which cybersecurity firms say is interfering with their products. For example, CrowdStrike delayed support for Sequoia, citing complications in adapting their software. Similarly, SentinelOne warned users not to upgrade without ensuring proper support, while Microsoft’s Defender and ESET have faced similar difficulties. Despite SentinelOne and ESET eventually providing compatibility, significant disruption remains across the community.

Apple has yet to comment, leaving security firms and users to manage the situation. CrowdStrike is awaiting a Sequoia update to offer full support, while temporary workarounds are being shared to address issues like firewall settings and basic web browsing. For now, it may be advisable to delay upgrading to macOS Sequoia until Apple or security providers release compatible updates.

Google has announced that users can now securely sync passkeys across all devices, not just Android, making sign-ins faster and more secure.

Passkeys use biometrics, such as your fingerprint, face, or screen lock, to sign in to apps and websites, thereby making it easier and more secure than using traditional passwords. Whereas previously, only Android devices could save passkeys, requiring a QR code scan for use elsewhere, Google’s latest update means users can now save passkeys to Google Password Manager on desktops (Windows, macOS, and Linux), with ChromeOS in Beta.

Once a passkey is saved, it syncs automatically across devices. Google has also introduced a Google Password Manager PIN for extra security, ensuring passkeys are encrypted and inaccessible to others, even Google.

To start using use passkeys on a new device, users will need their Google Password Manager PIN or Android screen lock. Users can set up a six-digit recovery PIN by default or select “PIN options” to create a longer alpha-numeric PIN.

Google says that with passkeys available for sites like Google, Amazon, and PayPal, and with Google Password Manager built into Chrome and Android, users can start benefitting from this secure, more convenient change without the need for extra apps.

Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are developing a new kind of reconfigurable masonry made from 3D-printed, recycled glass.

Fits Together Like LEGO 

MIT says the new multilayered glass bricks, each in the shape of a figure-of-eight, are designed to interlock, much like LEGO bricks.

3D Printed 

One of the big advantages of the new glass bricks is that they are made using a custom 3D glass printing technology (provided by MIT spinoff Evenline). The inspiration for using glass and the brick’s shape came partly from when 2 of the engineers, Kaitlyn Becker, and Michael Stern, were still undergraduates and learned the art and science of blowing glass in MIT’s Glass Lab.

It was this experience that led Stern to design a 3D printer capable of printing molten recycled glass.

Tested 

Becker and Stern collaborated to test whether 3D-printed glass could function as structural masonry units comparable to traditional bricks. Using the latest version of Evenline’s Glass 3D Printer (G3DP3), which melts recycled glass bottles into a printable form, they produced prototype bricks from soda-lime glass. The figure-eight design bricks featured two round pegs, similar to LEGO studs, allowing them to interlock and form larger structures. A removable material between bricks prevented scratches, enabling easy dismantling and recycling.

Strong 

The MIT team tested the glass bricks’ strength using an industrial hydraulic press and found that the strongest bricks could withstand pressures similar to concrete blocks. These bricks were primarily made of printed glass, with a separately manufactured interlocking feature, suggesting that most of the brick can be printed from glass, while the interlocking part can be made from various materials.

The Advantages 

The many advantages of the 3D-printed glass brick system include:

– Sustainability. The bricks are made from recycled glass, supporting circular construction by reusing materials and reducing the need for new manufacturing, which lowers the construction industry’s embodied carbon.

– Reusability. The bricks can be disassembled and reassembled multiple times for different structures, extending their lifespan across generations of buildings.

– Recyclability. Glass is highly recyclable. For example, the glass used by MIT’s 3D printer comes primarily from recycled glass bottles in the first place which are crushed, melted in a furnace, and then transformed into a molten, printable material used in the 3D glass printer. Also, once the glass bricks have been made, they can be remelted again and reshaped without contamination, allowing bricks to be recycled into new forms. As Kaitlyn Becker, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at MIT says: “We’re taking glass and turning it into masonry that, at the end of a structure’s life, can be disassembled and reassembled into a new structure, or can be stuck back into the printer and turned into a completely different shape. All this builds into our idea of a sustainable, circular building material.” Becker also highlights how, “As long as it’s not contaminated, you can recycle glass almost infinitely”.

– Strength. As highlighted in MIT’s mechanical tests, the glass bricks can withstand pressures similar to concrete, making them viable for structural use.

– Their interlocking design. Like LEGO, the bricks feature interlocking pegs, enabling easy assembly, and creating strong, self-supporting structures.

– Scratch and crack prevention. A removable material between bricks prevents damage during assembly and dismantling.

– Adaptability. The figure-of-eight design allows for curved wall constructions and offers flexibility in design. This allows for more creative and varied structural forms, making it possible to create aesthetically unique and functional buildings that traditional brick designs may not easily support.

– The potential for scalability. The system can be scaled up to create larger structures, with potential for various configurations and reconfigurations. As Stern says: “We have more understanding of what the material’s limits are, and how to scale,” and that “We’re thinking of stepping stones to buildings, and want to start with something like a pavilion – a temporary structure that humans can interact with, and that you could then reconfigure into a second design.” 

– The environmental benefit of minimising the manufacturing of new materials and reducing the construction industry’s “embodied carbon”, i.e. the greenhouse gas emissions associated with every process throughout a building’s construction, from manufacturing to demolition.

Drawbacks? 

Although the system is still at the development stage and the engineers have been keen to highlight the advantages of the system, it is possible to think of some of the more obvious potential disadvantages, such as:

– Producing glass bricks using 3D printing requires specialised equipment and processes, which might be more expensive and complex than traditional brickmaking.

– Glass typically has poor insulating properties, so structures made from glass bricks may not retain heat as effectively as those built with traditional materials.

– The need for a separate interlocking feature made from a different material could complicate the production and assembly process, reducing the system’s simplicity and uniformity.

– Widespread use of glass bricks might face resistance due to unfamiliarity or scepticism about their long-term durability and safety in construction. Also, the unusual shape and the fact that it’s a new material may require training, e.g. for builders.

Glass Already Being Used To Make Bricks 

Although the 3D printer idea for full glass bricks is new, it’s worth noting here that recycled glass is already being experimented with in similar ways for use in construction projects. For example, researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have developed a concrete mix using recycled glass as a substitute for sand, which is increasingly scarce due to overuse. This glass-based concrete has been successfully used in 3D printing to create a 40 cm-tall concrete bench, demonstrating its viability for load-bearing construction applications.

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation? 

The development of 3D-printed glass bricks at MIT presents a promising and bold vision for sustainable construction, combining innovation in design and environmental responsibility. By reimagining glass as a structural material and leveraging 3D printing technology, these interlocking bricks could offer a versatile solution that embraces circular construction principles. As the building industry seeks to reduce its environmental impact, these bricks present a potential alternative by utilising recycled glass, minimising waste, and allowing structures to be easily reconfigured and recycled at the end of their lifespan.

While challenges remain, such as higher production costs and concerns about insulation and durability, the adaptability and recyclability of the glass bricks highlight their potential.  As with any new material and system though, acceptance and implementation are likely to take time, something that we’re running out of when it comes to decarbonising industries.

However, looking on the bright side, the demonstrated strength of the bricks, combined with their aesthetic and sustainable benefits, points towards a future where glass could play a significant role in eco-friendly construction. The success of this system could even pave the way for further exploration of recycled materials in 3D printing, and with continued innovation, it’s possible to see how these glass bricks and/or concrete using crushed up glass instead of sand, could become a cornerstone in the move towards more sustainable building practices.

This video tutorial explains in depth how to use ChatGPT to optimise your LinkedIn profile.

[Note – To Watch This Video without glitches/interruptions, It’s best to download it first]

The Magnifier tool allows you to zoom in on any part of your screen, which is especially useful when working with small text or detailed images during presentations or document reviews. Here’s how it works:

Enable Magnifier

– Press Win + Plus (+) to activate the Magnifier.

Adjust Zoom Levels

– Use Win + Plus (+) to zoom in and Win + Minus (-) to zoom out.

Exit Magnifier

– Press Win + Esc to turn off Magnifier.