The Elements of Innovation Discovered

Articles from the May 1, 2024 edition


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  • A scoop pours black graphene onto a pile.

    US graphene to boost Asian solar storage

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated May 2, 2024

    Volfpack selects HydroGraph graphene for supercapacitors in its hybrid renewable energy storage systems. HydroGraph Clean Power Inc.'s flagship graphene product will soon be a key ingredient in Volfpack Energy Ltd.'s hybrid battery system, which was engineered to help store solar energy and stabilize power grids in Asia. Keeping power grids fed with stable solar is challenging. The best-known and most widely understood of these dilemmas is storing enough energy during the day...

  • Collection of black lithium cells printed with recycling symbols.

    Just a dash of lithium for these batteries

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 30, 2024

    A cheaper and more sustainable LiDFOB electrolyte reduces lithium salts while maintaining battery performance. An international research team has developed an electrolyte with a very low concentration of lithium salt for a cheaper, safer alternative to conventional lithium batteries. According to the report, battery cells using these LiDFOB – lithium difluoro (oxalato) borate – electrolytes in batteries with standard electrodes have demonstrated outstanding performance, pro...

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  • A broken hourglass surrounded by pennies and glittering dirt

    Mineral demand surges as mines struggle

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 30, 2024

    Despite rising EV sales, miners are unable to finance projects for battery metals. Amidst a green tech boom, fierce global competition is pushing down company margins, and a surprising number of mining industry leaders, like Albemarle, First Quantum Minerals, Glencore, and BHP, are cutting budgets, lowering dividends, and laying off workers. In the U.S., where the Biden administration is pushing to develop a domestic mineral supply but has halted many projects that would meet...

  • Close-up of pyrite formation, otherwise known as fool's gold.

    From fool's gold to white gold

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 30, 2024

    Findings reveal high concentrations of lithium in pyrite. The golden glitter of a faceted nugget of pyrite has earned it the moniker "fool's gold" for its abundance, showy false promise and low value as a common sulfide – until recently. Lithium, on the other hand, has been the modern day's elusive "white gold" prize in many searches, from hard rock mines to brines and more experimental sources such as mine tailings and drill cuttings. Recent research led by a team from W...

  • Rendering of Urban Vibro truck.

    Pounding pavement: trucks sense geophysics

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 30, 2024

    Trucks send seismic waves beneath cities to explore the terrain for oil, gas, faults and geothermal. In 2017, two fleets of massive trucks crossed from Long Beach into Orange County in southern California, sending literal shock waves through the streets. And now, in Germany, they're going to be at it again. The vehicle used to create these vibrations is a seismic vibrator truck or thumper. These trucks use a large weight to thump the ground's surface while sophisticated...

  • University of Arizona campus that features 20 colleges.

    Arizona paves streets of copper for U.S.

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 30, 2024

    University convened with key leaders across government, industry, and academia on Capitol Hill to discuss sustainable production and cultivating the next generation of miners. In a pivotal move to safeguard the U.S. critical mineral supply chain, the University of Arizona has taken center stage in pioneering sustainable mining practices, nurturing a skilled domestic workforce, and powering the national transition to renewable energy and next-gen defense technology at an event...

  • The outside of the UN building located in Geneva, Switzerland.

    UN establishes responsible minerals panel

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 30, 2024

    "The objective of the panel ... is to build trust and certainty towards harnessing the potential of these minerals to be utilized to unlock shared prosperity, leaving no one and no place behind." With the growing demand for minerals critical to renewable energy technologies, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has utilized the organization's convening power to unite governments and stakeholders along the entire mineral value chain. The goal: to establish global...

  • Artist’s rendering of electrical discharge between materials.

    Fast-charging sodium hybrid battery

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 29, 2024

    Korean researchers present a high-power sodium-ion battery that can be charged in seconds. Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a high-energy and high-power hybrid sodium-ion battery capable of charging within seconds. Interest in developing batteries based on sodium has taken off due to concerns over the sustainability of lithium, as well as safety concerns due to the combustibility of lithium-ion batteries....

  • 6K Energy’s PlusCAM will open late this year in Jackson, Tennessee.

    6K Energy targets IRA battery requirements

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 29, 2024

    Utilizing its UniMelt production system technology, company is at the forefront of domestic battery supply for a green future. Continuing to push the boundaries of sustainable production of critical materials for lithium-ion batteries, 6K Energy LLC announced their cathode active material (CAM) will meet stringent United States government mandates for compliance outlined by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the innovative company aims to be the first to meet such...

  • Innovation Mining logo with representation of gold atoms.

    Innovative solution for stranded gold

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 29, 2024

    EnviroMetal founder launches new company to advance eco-friendly alternative to cyanide for the recovery of gold from small-scale gold mines. When Duane Nelson stepped down from his leadership role at EnviroMetal Technologies, he had a vision of building a new clean-tech company to continue to advance the eco-friendly gold recovery solution that he had helped to develop – Innovation Mining is that company. Formerly known as DynaVat Technologies, Innovation Mining is focused o...

  • Closeup picture of high-quality pure copper cables.

    BHP makes a bid to buy Anglo American

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 25, 2024

    Megamerger would reshape global energy metals sector. The proposed merger between BHP Group Ltd. and Anglo American plc would create a $200 billion mining behemoth that would control 10% of the global production of copper, a metal that has experienced a 23% price spike since early February on supply concerns. "As part of its strategy to expand its copper assets, BHP intends to acquire Anglo American realizing the significant growth potential for copper in the future, as...