The Elements of Innovation Discovered

Articles from the October 23, 2024 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 9 of 9

  • Composite photo of Arkansas flag and barrel of white lithium powder.

    Arkansas sits atop a sea of lithium

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Dec 5, 2024

    USGS estimates the Smackover Formation under Arkansas hosts enough lithium for more than 625 million EVs. By applying next-generation machine learning to old-fashioned water sampling, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that there is enough lithium dissolved in salty waters beneath Arkansas to keep America supplied with this critical battery metal for decades. Arkansas happens to sit atop a particularly lithium-rich area of the Smackover Formation, the relic of an ancient sea...

  • Streaks of light in an artistic rendition of warp speed in space.

    Harnessing light for next-gen data storage

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Dec 5, 2024

    Argonne National Lab, UChicago scientists develop theory on storing data with light, rare earths, and quantum defects. Imagine trying to fit the contents of the entire internet into a single grain of sand - a seemingly impossible task. Yet, recent research suggests that such a thing could soon be possible in digital memory storage, using light and engineered materials to vastly increase data density beyond today's quickly shrinking limits. The evolution of electronic storage...

  • A recycling symbol of direct air intakes, hydrogen molecules, carbon.

    A carbon-negative metals recycling plant

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Dec 5, 2024

    Travertine Technologies partners with Sabin Metal to build a circular plant in New York that converts waste into valuable feedstock. In a project that will scale industrialized carbon capture technology to convert sulfate waste into valuable feedstock, Travertine Technologies has announced a partnership with Sabin Metal Corp., the largest independently owned precious metals refiner in North America, to build a demonstration plant with $10.7 million in financing that includes $...

  • Molten iron poured from a crucible into a mold.

    Decarbonizing energy-intensive industries

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Dec 5, 2024

    Global industry leaders meet in Australia to drive high-temperature processes emissions down to net zero. Industry experts worldwide are attending the High Temperature Minerals Processing (HiTeMP) Forum this week at the University of Adelaide in Australia to tackle the challenge of decarbonizing energy-intensive industries in an environment of cooperation and idea sharing. This fourth gathering of the Forum united stakeholders to share their latest developments and...

  • Liebherr’s hydrogen-powered L 566 H loader shoveling gravel into a truck.

    Liebherr tests hydrogen-burning loader

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Dec 5, 2024

    Heavy construction equipment powered by a modified combustion engine that burns hydrogen instead of diesel will be tested for two years in Austria. Construction and mining equipment giant Liebherr is working with STRABAG, the largest construction company in Austria, to pilot the world's first hydrogen-burning loader prototype in a two-year test project at STRABAG's Kanzelstein quarry. Liebherr's hydrogen-powered L 566 loader is serving as a proof-of-concept pilot for a loader...

  • Close-up of a pile of recycled gold in lozenge shape.

    Royal Mint to extract gold from e-waste

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 22, 2024

    A new factory has been constructed to extract gold from circuit boards found in everyday e-waste. The Royal Mint has committed to recovering high-purity gold from e-waste, unveiling a newly constructed 3,700 square-meter factory in South Wales pledged to reduce dependence on new material mining and support more sustainable industry practices. "We are transforming our business for the future – expanding into areas which complement our expertise in precious metals, champion s...

  • The 1oz Lady of Liberty gold bar from Newmont and MKS PAMP.

    Blockchain gold coming to a Costco near you

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 18, 2024

    Newmont and MKS PAMP team up to offer gold with Provenance; blockchain technology for full transparency and traceability. In an unexpected move, gold is no longer just a commodity for specialized dealers – it's now hitting the shelves of America's largest wholesaler, as Newmont Corp. and MKS PAMP team up to bring traceable, responsibly sourced gold bars to everyday consumers, marking a bold shift in how gold is marketed and sold. As consumer demand for ethically sourced and t...

  • A smartphone displaying the Export-Import Bank of the United States website.

    EXIM offers a $325M loan to Graphite One

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 18, 2024

    The U.S. export bank debt financing will help fund a plant in Ohio that will produce graphite needed for lithium-ion batteries. To help support the establishment of a domestic mine-to-EVs graphite supply chain, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has invited Graphite One Inc. to apply for a $325 million loan to build its planned advanced anode material (AAM) processing plant in Ohio. "Based on the preliminary information submitted regarding expected U.S....

  • Photo of a Cadillac Lyriq plugged into a charger in a colorful photo setting.

    GM buys JV stake in Nevada lithium mine

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 16, 2024

    Automaker to invest $625 million for 38% JV interest in Lithium America's Thacker Pass. To help ensure that it has a reliable and Inflation Reduction Act-compliant source of the lithium needed for its growing line of electric vehicles, General Motors has agreed to invest an additional $625 million to acquire a 38% joint venture interest in Lithium Americas Corp.'s Thacker Pass mine and processing plant in northern Nevada. "We're pleased with the significant progress Lithium...