The Elements of Innovation Discovered

Articles from the February 8, 2023 edition


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  • Rock hammer on a pile of rare earths-enriched rocks at Sheep Creek in Montana.

    Kingly rare earth grades at Sheep Creek

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

    Assay lab results affirm high-grade nature of critical minerals deposit in SW Montana. If "grade is king," then US Critical Materials Corp.'s Sheep Creek in Montana wears the crown when it comes to rare earth projects in the United States. The mining sector mantra "grade is king" alludes to the idea that a mine capable of producing one kilogram of rare earths for every 11 tons of ore dug up will be more profitable and have a smaller environmental footprint than a mine that mus...

  • A pile of black powder produced during the lithium battery recycling process.

    Tackling EV battery recycling with tech

    K. Warner, For Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 3, 2024

    Electric vehicles are a major player in the decarbonization of the global transport sector. The industry is under pressure to seek the shortest, most profitable route to a renewable future, which puts its most expensive asset – battery production – at risk of potentially redistributing rather than neutralizing carbon usage. Nowhere is this pressure more acute than in the growing demand for a more sustainable and scalable battery lifecycle. Due to roughly 15 years of ope...

  • A view of the ends of various-sized copper cables for electrical transmission.

    A push to add copper to US critical list

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jun 8, 2023
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    US business and political leaders call on USGS to expediently add copper to list of critical minerals. Copper is essential to a global economy that favors low-carbon electricity powerlines over fossil fuel-filled pipelines to deliver future energy needs. But does the green energy demand make the red metal critical? So far, copper has not been elevated to the official list of minerals and metals deemed critical to the United States. A surprisingly broad spectrum of politicians...

  • Mask developed with Zentek's ZenGUARD graphene coating to protect against COVID.

    ZenGUARD-treated filters surpass air tests

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Feb 7, 2023

    With the final report for its Phase 2 testing of ZenGUARD for use in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning filtration from the National Research Council of Canada, Zentek Ltd. is priming itself to begin integrating its sterilizing ZenGUARD-treated filters to help mitigate risks from airborne viral transmission such as COVID-19. "We believe our patented technology platform, ZenGUARD, is a disruptive technology for the HVAC industry, giving us the ability to help filter...

  • X-BATT battery pouches made from upcycling old graphite anode material.

    X-BATT reveals new coal anode material

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Feb 7, 2023

    With the need for electric vehicle batteries continuing to grow, a solution to the demand for battery materials may come from an unexpected source – coal. Now, for the first time ever, X-BATT has built an 18650 battery using coal. After spending the better part of two decades supplying precision plastic-engineered components to a broad range of industries, Semplastics expanded with its X-MAT research, focusing on the recycling, reuse, and rediscovery of the vast stockpiles o...

  • Authors of the paper detailing the discovery of solid state battery failure.

    Solid-state battery problem discovered

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Feb 7, 2023

    In the pursuit of improving portable power, new lithium metal batteries with solid electrolytes tick off every box in next-gen battery technology – lightweight, higher capacity, faster charging, and inflammable. This game-changing tech, however, has been slow to develop due to a mysterious failure that causes it to short-circuit. Now, researchers at Stanford University and the school's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory say they have discovered the culprit. Turns out, s...