The Elements of Innovation Discovered

Articles from the July 19, 2023 edition


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  • A colorful sunset behind commercial Quonset tents at graphite project in Alaska.

    DOD invests $37.5M in Alaska graphite

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

    Graphite One will utilize DPA Title III funds to finalize a feasibility study to develop a mine at Graphite Creek deposit in Alaska. To accelerate the development of a domestic supply chain for the enormous quantities of graphite needed in the lithium batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, the U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Graphite One Inc. $37.5 million to help complete a feasibility study for an advanced graphite material supply chain that wil...

  • Hands holding a scoop of ashes with potential critical minerals.

    Coal ash to critical minerals funding

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Aug 15, 2023

    DOE is awarding $32M to support projects that will recover domestic critical minerals from coal waste. Seeking to leverage the ash and other byproducts from a fuel that powered America through the 20th century, the U.S. Department of Energy is awarding $32 million to help launch projects that will recover rare earth elements and other critical minerals from coal ash and waste. Coal deposits often have trace amounts of gallium, germanium, rare earths, and other minerals...

  • A simple gray stone tile that holds roughly 30% sequestered CO2.

    DOE supports DioQuest carbon capture

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 26, 2023

    With a singular purpose of reimagining and revolutionizing sustainable technologies, Semplastics subsidiary DioQuest has been awarded $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy to continue to focus its research on capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide in practical applications. "Our DioQuest technology not only allows large volumes of CO2 to be permanently locked away, but we are also able to take the waste streams and create sustainable products such as important building...

  • A dark square object overlaying a ring of light.

    Nanomaterial opens door to hydrogen fuel

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 26, 2023

    Drexel scientists discover titanium nanomaterial that is an extremely efficient hydrogen fuel photocatalyst. Much like many of Mankind's discoveries, such as those that happened through some serendipitous result contrary to the predicted outcome, Drexel University researchers may have stumbled on the method of producing hydrogen fuel – with a photocatalyst 10 times more efficient than the closest commercially viable material. Sustainable technologies produce electricity as t...

  • A silver-colored gallium crystal that shows signs of its low melting point.

    Gallium, germanium supply safety nets

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 26, 2023

    Technology metal brokers in the US and Germany say they have stores of both metals to meet tech needs following curbs on Chinese exports. Technology metal brokers in the United States and Europe are providing safety nets for companies seeking reliable supplies of gallium and germanium as global supply disruptions loom. Earlier this month, China announced that starting on Aug. 1 it will be placing government-controlled restrictions on the exports of this pair of semiconductor m...

  • Photos of folded liquid metal-coated paper in various states of expansion.

    Liquid metal for flexible smart materials

    K. Warner, For Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 26, 2023

    Flexible technologies are emerging, from foldable smartphones to freeform public information displays, and Chinese researchers have made a discovery that could elevate this technology to the next level. The high electrical conductivity and flexibility of liquid metals are the keys to this technology, with potential applications in wearable sensors, actuators, smart switches, printable circuitry for robotics, and technologies that not only move but stretch, such as...

  • Tall industrial smoke stacks create a cloud of emissions at sunset.

    Cheaper, safer industrial carbon capture

    K. Warner, For Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 25, 2023

    College of Science researchers at Oregon State University have demonstrated an improved carbon capture method using an inexpensive nanomaterial made from aluminum to scrub carbon dioxide from industrial emissions. Recently, at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, 197 countries agreed to the new Glasgow Climate Pact, reaffirming the 2015 Paris Agreement and the need to reduce global CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, relative to the 2010 levels, with 140 countries...

  • Electra Battery Materials’ constructing its planned extraction facility.

    Electra ships first recycled product

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 18, 2023

    Marking a historical moment for its endeavors to support the green energy transition, Electra Battery Materials Corp. announced its first shipment of recycled nickel-cobalt from its refinery complex north of Toronto, Canada. "The first customer delivery of product from our refinery marks another important milestone on the path to commercializing our black mass refining capabilities," said Electra Battery Materials CEO Trent Mell. Black mass, a material produced from shredding...