Researchers at Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology have published a paper in the scientific journal Buildings, outlining a new concept for batteries -- made of a cement mixture with short carbon fibers added for conductivity and toughness.

“The researchers…  included metal-coated carbon fiber mesh in the cement-based mixture,” says an article at Oil Price. “In this mesh they picked iron and zinc as anodes, and nickel-based oxides as cathodes.”

Source: MDPI, Buildings

Researchers say: “The energy density is still low in comparison to commercial batteries, but this limitation could be overcome thanks to the huge volume at which the battery could be constructed when used in buildings.”

The most important feature of this hypothetical battery? It’s rechargeable… and might be paired with solar panels.

“Potential applications of such batteries,” Oil Price notes, “could be in energy storage, powering LEDs, or providing 4G connections in remote areas.”

Intriguing… We’ll keep you posted.

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Your Rundown for Friday, May 28, 2021…

Bull Market? Bubble?

“How do you know when stocks are becoming too risky?” asks retirement specialist Zach Scheidt.

“One of the best ways to tell the difference between powerful bull markets and dangerous bubbles is to look at what people who are not in the investment business are doing.

“For instance, think back to the dot com bubble,” says Zach. “Seasoned investors were quick to recognize peak enthusiasm when inexperienced investors suddenly quit their jobs to become traders

“Similarly, during the housing bubble leading up to the financial crisis, there were many people… who quit ‘boring’ jobs to be part of this new bull market.

“Accountants became house flippers. Lawyers became real estate brokers. And people who weren't involved in the mortgage or real estate industry were regarded as behind-the-times.

“Of course, all these excesses eventually led to a painful… losses for builders, brokers and mortgage investors,” Zach says.

“The moral… is that when you see excessive enthusiasm in one area of the market from many of the people who wouldn't normally be involved, it's a sign that risks are increasing.

“Fortunately, you don't have to watch your wealth shrink when these bubbles inevitably burst,” Zach says.

“[When] speculative investors are getting too aggressive, by having a balanced approach, you can use these bubbles to grow your wealth, and avoid the risk when stocks come back to earth.”

Market Rundown for Friday, May 28, 2021

S&P 500 futures sit at 4,210.

Oil climbed to $67.32 a barrel.

Gold is holding at $1,898.

Bitcoin is $36,855, down 8% in the last 24 hours.

Send your comments and questions to, TheRundownFeedback@SevenFigurePublishing.com.

The market’s closed for Memorial Day, so we’re taking the day off too. We hope you have a wonderful weekend… Take a moment Monday to remember our fallen military heroes.

For The Rundown,

Aaron Gentzler
Editor, The Rundown
TheRundownFeedback@StPaulResearch.com