The Elements of Innovation Discovered

Articles from the January 4, 2023 edition


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  • Worker remote operates crane moving large graphite cylinders inside plant.

    POSCO signs $733M Ultium graphite deal

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 3, 2024

    In a deal that will further support General Motors' electric vehicle ambitions, POSCO Chemical has entered into a contract to supply Ultium Cells LLC with $733 million (939.9 billion Korean won) of artificial graphite anode material over the next six years. While natural, or mined, graphite makes up much of the anode material going in the lithium-ion batteries that power EVs, artificially produced graphite is added to increase charging speed and extend the life of the...

  • A glass tray holding various piles of refined battery materials.

    ReElement technology makes pure lithium

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 6, 2023

    Stepping up to the plate in the contest for battery recycling, American Resources Corp. reported its subsidiary, ReElement Technologies, has produced greater than 99.9% lithium with its patented recycling technology. "Lithium refining in a cost effective and environmentally sensitive manner is the key to the domestic auto and electrification industry," said ReElement Technologies COO Jeff Peterson. "We applaud our team for exceeding our initial target results in producing...

  • A white-gloved hand holding uranium fuel pellets.

    The resurgence of nuclear energy in 2022

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Aug 13, 2023

    In possibly one of the most significant years for nuclear since its advent, several nuclear energy milestones were achieved in 2022. Kicking off the year with a corollary incentive program to attract interest in this waning utility with enormous potential to provide clean, low-carbon energy, President Joe Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act. This bill included a sizable aspect to benefit present and future nuclear facilities, even so much as providing a $15 per...

  • As the sun sets, crews mine rare earths ore from a deposit at Nechalacho in NWT.

    A Vital pivot in rare earths strategy

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Feb 2, 2023

    Following an AU$45 million (US$31.6 million) infusion of cash in July, Vital Metals Ltd. has gone through some significant changes that are being reflected in a new strategy that slows the ramp-up of production at the company's rare earths separation plant in Saskatchewan and focuses the company's resources on expanding production at its Nechalacho Mine in Canada's Northwest Territories. Shortly following this financing anchored by AU$30 million (US$21 million) contributed by...

  • Chain links with binary code representing digital security.

    Ransomware attack idles BC copper mine

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jan 20, 2023

    A ransomware attack that has forced Copper Mountain Mining Corp. to shut down operations at its namesake mine in southern British Columbia elevates concerns about the vulnerability of mining operations that are increasingly dependent on digital technologies. With its computer systems coming under attack late in the day on Dec. 27, the Copper Mountain IT team quickly implemented risk management systems and protocols to limit the damage and ensure safety at the mine. These... Full story

  • Closeup of epitaxial graphene electronics chip balanced on woman’s fingertip.

    Scientists report new use for graphene

    Rose Ragsdale, For Metal Tech News|Updated Jan 3, 2023

    Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology may have identified the material that will replace silicon in the next generation of tinier and more efficient computer chips. With silicon nearly maxed out in its ability to accommodate faster computing, scientists say a new large nanoelectronics platform is needed, now more than ever. In the search for a material that could replace silicon, graphene has seemed promising for decades. But its potential reportedly faltered along...