A Worcester Polytechnic Institute-led research team aims to recover valuable resources from industrial waste using biomolecules and organic scaffolds. The project could transform large volumes of waste into marketable products, reducing reliance on newly mined resources and lowering environmental footprints.
Researchers propose sediment electron exchange capacity as a quantitative measure of aquifer sediments' reactivity, influencing contaminant transformation and remediation performance. EEC can help predict and optimize groundwater cleanup, improving efficiency and sustainability.
Researchers developed a physics-based AI approach to predict global-scale carbon cycling in ocean sediments, resolving a long-standing challenge in climate science. The study reveals key findings on dissolved organic carbon behavior, including 11% of particulate organic carbon returning to seawater.
Researchers aim to develop new magnets that reduce American reliance on supply-vulnerable foreign sources by finding alternatives to critical minerals. The UH-led team will use AI to design and manufacture next-generation permanent magnets, with the goal of surpassing industry-standard materials like neodymium iron boron.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are working on a project to develop a mobile and efficient drilling system that combines faster drilling technology, real-time rock analysis, and artificial intelligence to identify valuable minerals in real time. This project aims to reduce the time needed to evaluate potential deposits of rare eart...
A research team at the Wyss Institute has engineered bacteria to produce higher amounts of siderophores, molecules that extract iron from silicate minerals, speeding up rock weathering and removing CO2 from the atmosphere. This process has the potential to be implemented at industrial scales, offering a new climate-regulating strategy.
Researchers at Bielefeld University have discovered that microcline's most common surface is sufficient for ice to form in an ordered manner, known as epitaxial growth. This finding provides a new perspective on the importance of uncommon ice faces for understanding ice nucleation.
A team of researchers used neutron and X-ray tomography to examine a Martian meteorite sample, revealing tiny hydrated minerals and larger macroscopic hydrogen deposits. This provides crucial information about the early environment of Mars and its potential for supporting life.
Scientists created a platform that pinpoints genetic triggers for microbes to produce new chemicals and materials. The method enables rapid, precise reprogramming of bacteria as biotechnology tools, supporting the domestic production of valuable products.
Researchers at KAIST have developed a technology converting CO2 dissolved in seawater into calcium carbonate, enabling permanent storage and helping the ocean absorb more carbon dioxide. The system reduced electricity consumption by up to 54% and produced high-purity hydrogen and magnesium hydroxide.
Researchers analysed stone blocks and bricks from the Dutch East India Company's ship Batavia, revealing the materials came from at least two different quarry areas in what is now Germany. The study used advanced geochemical techniques to trace the origin of the cargo, uncovering hidden details about global trade routes.
Researchers at IIT Gandhinagar develop faster, more specific and sensitive staining method for visualizing xylem, enabling stronger research on plant development, vascular biology and crop resilience. The new probes achieve strong fluorescence signals at lower concentrations than conventional dyes.
A new study reveals that lignin can be transformed into a bioactive material that promotes the formation of bone-like minerals while supporting the growth of bone-forming cells. The material also degrades gradually under physiological conditions, making it suitable for scaffolds intended to be replaced by newly formed bone during healing.
A UMaine-led research team has been awarded the inaugural DOE Genesis Mission to develop AI-powered models that simulate the impact of microbes on underground chemical reactions. The project aims to improve predictions in groundwater management, environmental remediation, and energy infrastructure planning.
A new study using remote sensing and machine learning found that mining for green technology minerals has unexpected consequences on biodiversity. The research revealed that commodities such as lithium and cobalt have the highest biodiversity risks despite lower levels of forest loss.
The authors propose a combination of traditional and modern breeding methods to address global micronutrient deficiencies. They suggest that new genomic techniques, such as CRISPR/Cas gene-editing, hold great potential for the future, enabling targeted modification of specific genes and accelerating the development of biofortified crops.
A team of scientists has created a method to identify mineral biosignatures on other worlds using Raman spectroscopy. The technique uses machine learning to analyze features of the spectrum, such as band positions and intensities, to determine whether a mineral was formed biologically or abiotically.
A study by Professor Masaki Yoshida suggests that there is a physically meaningful upper limit to viscosity beyond which materials effectively become rigid. The research found that the maximum viscosity inferred from stable lithospheric regions is around 10^30 Pa s, making it roughly 10^33 times greater than water's viscosity.
A study from Huazhong Agricultural University sheds light on the intricate processes of microbial activity and geological structures beneath our feet. The team's work illustrates how bacterial EPS contributes to SOM persistence, a process crucial for maintaining soil health and securing long-term carbon storage.
Researchers found that CAR3 coordinates bone formation and regeneration by forming a molecular complex with collagen type I alpha 1 and recruiting bone sialoprotein. The study identified CAR3 as a previously unrecognized regulator of osteoblast differentiation, highlighting its potential for treating bone disorders.
A new report from Curtin University's Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre warns that Western Australia must transition to higher-value industries to secure long-term prosperity. The sector still underpins the state's economy, but decarbonisation and technological change are reshaping resource markets.
Researchers discovered graphitized biochar, which facilitates electron transfer between microbes and iron minerals, producing more hydroxyl radicals. This process accelerates sulfamethoxazole degradation by up to 57.2% and enhances overall soil remediation.
A new study reveals how iron minerals trigger the release of potent greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide from paddy soils during flooding. Microbial communities then drive further decomposition, leading to a net decrease in overall carbon stability.
A study at the Federal University of São Paulo found that only a fraction of copper and magnesium from Brazil nuts and cashews is absorbed by the human body. The researchers used an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion assay to assess bioavailability, which differed from bioaccessibility.
The study found that mining operations in Africa lead to the destruction of 187,000 hectares of forest between 2001 and 2020. Mines extracting cobalt and copper cause the highest rates of overall deforestation.
Research suggests a symbiotic relationship between fish and their gut microbes produces minerals influencing ocean chemistry and the marine carbon cycle. The study found vibrio bacteria play a key role in ichthyocarbonate formation, which is linked to global nutrient cycles.
Researchers at MIT have developed a low-temperature process to extract battery-grade lithium from hard rock minerals, minimizing waste and costs. The closed-loop system can produce useful materials, including lithium salts, alumina, and silica, with an estimated cost reduction of half compared to traditional methods.
Researchers at the University of Rochester developed a solar-thermal desalination process that produces fresh water in an energy-efficient way, eliminating brine and requiring no chemical additives. The technology extracts nearly 100% of salts in solid form, producing table salt and precious minerals like lithium.
The FutuRaM project mapped Europe's 'urban mine', revealing a vast reservoir of metals and minerals essential for clean energy, digital technologies, and modern industry. By 2050, recovery systems could enable the EU to recover between 4.1 and 5.7 million tonnes of critical raw materials annually.
West Virginia University is launching the WVU Rare Earth Elements Initiative to explore U.S. feedstocks and commercialize AMDREE technology for extracting rare earths from acid mine drainage. The initiative aims to enhance national security interests and economic innovation by securing a domestic supply of critical materials.
A Umea University study finds that ice actively accelerates the dissolution of iron minerals, potentially releasing more iron than current environmental models account for. This could have significant cascading effects on ecosystems, particularly in polar and mountain regions.
Scientists discovered a molecular switch that enables plants to form partnerships with soil fungi even when sufficient phosphate is available, offering a potential solution to reducing fertilizer use. The discovery could enable targeted manipulation of mycorrhization in crop plants using modern breeding methods.
A comprehensive review reveals that deep soil contains a colossal amount of carbon, estimated at over 850 petagrams worldwide, and is significantly more stable than surface layers due to strong interaction with clay minerals. The review outlines several agricultural strategies to protect and enhance deep soil carbon stocks.
The University of Utah is launching a groundbreaking testbed, SMART, to accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies in rare earth elements. The initiative aims to strengthen domestic supply chains and address the nation's growing need for critical minerals.
Researchers studied deformed δ-AlOOH and H minerals under high pressure and temperature. These findings suggest hydrous minerals contribute significantly to seismic anisotropy near flattened slab tops.
African countries can turn critical minerals and youth into shared prosperity by adopting locally driven economic models. Poverty alleviation requires cooperation that supports local capacity rather than reinforcing dependency.
Researchers tracked fluorescently labeled montmorillonite particles in wheat and found they could bypass traditional root barriers, entering through lateral root junctions. The findings suggest a novel pathway for nutrient delivery, potentially revolutionizing sustainable fertilizer design.
A new study shows that minerals and microbes should not be treated as separate controls on dissolved organic matter. Iron oxides selectively sort organic molecules, changing what remains available for microbial degradation, with major consequences for biodegradation.
A HKU research team will deploy a short-wavelength infrared spectrometer on the Tianwen-3 mission to search for biosignatures and hydrous minerals on Mars. The instrument aims to forecast dust storms, detect signs of life, and survey Martian resources.
The University of Utah and National Laboratory of the Rockies have signed a three-year MOU to strengthen the US energy system. The partnership enables research on urgent national security and energy priorities, including water security, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing.
Scientists discover atmospheric connection between African dust aerosols and Amazonian nutrient cycles. Researchers use daily black carbon measurements and global meteorological data to investigate variability of atmospheric cleanliness in the Amazon.
The team analyzed LHS 3844 b's infrared radiation, finding it doesn't match Earth-like silicate-rich minerals. Instead, the spectrum suggests a dark, rocky surface composed of basaltic or magmatic minerals, possibly with a recently active geological history.
A new report by the UN University finds that critical minerals extraction is causing severe environmental and health crises in vulnerable communities, while benefits accumulate mainly in wealthy nations. The investigation highlights intense water requirements, contaminated water, lost livelihoods and serious health consequences.
Researchers at TU Wien have demonstrated a remarkable mineralogical mechanism where certain minerals convert CO2 into solid carbonate quickly, mediated by water. This process enables rapid CO2 capture and storage in rocks, potentially solving the issue of atmospheric CO2 removal.
A new chemical model developed by researchers at GEOMAR accurately predicts iron chemistry in the South Pacific Ocean, taking into account diverse organic matter properties. The findings improve understanding of the marine iron cycle and its implications for climate change.
A team of Rice University researchers has developed a faster and more energy-efficient way to recover critical minerals from spent lithium-ion batteries. The new method uses aqueous solutions of amino chlorides, which can extract valuable metals in minutes rather than hours.
Researchers found that pill bugs do not simply incorporate ingested CaCO3 minerals as building blocks. Instead, they actively restructure CaCO3 within their bodies to form their tergite cuticles. This study highlights the biological control underlying mineral formation and provides new insights into biomineralization mechanisms.
Wiley has released additional data to its IR and Raman spectral libraries, significantly broadening compound coverage. The new release includes mineral spectra from the American Museum of Natural History, supporting researchers in making informed scientific decisions.
Researchers developed a new method to recover critical minerals using simple magnets, which streamlines the process while reducing energy consumption. The technique exploits small differences in magnetic susceptibility to drive selective transport and separation.
The book highlights the importance of sustaining innovation in sectors such as semiconductors, biotechnology, and critical minerals to drive economic growth and national security. By rebuilding domestic manufacturing and leveraging new technologies, the US can regain leadership in these areas and capture a $4 trillion market.
Researchers found that thiol-modified biochar reduces mercury mobility by up to 80% in soils exposed to dry-wet cycles. The material promotes natural weathering processes, traps mercury in stable forms, and alters the soil microbial community, creating a resilient ecosystem.
The University of Utah has launched a new Institute for Critical and Strategic Minerals (ICSM) to address the US's growing reliance on foreign critical minerals. The institute aims to expand sustainable, domestic sources and production of critical minerals through education, workforce development, and cutting-edge research.
A new study identifies phengite as a key carrier of halogens into the deep mantle, resolving a long-standing contradiction between shallow and deep halogen enrichment. Phengite transports fluorine and chlorine to depths of about 330 km, shedding light on diamond formation and Earth's chemical evolution.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that crushed oyster shells can capture and remove rare earth elements from polluted water. The shells trigger a chemical reaction that converts dissolved metals into solid mineral crystals, making them an effective tool for environmental cleanup.
A new study reveals that freeze-thaw cycles can dramatically improve biochar's ability to trap toxic arsenic in contaminated soils. The research found that freezing and thawing fundamentally reshapes how biochar interacts with soil at microscopic scales, creating stronger connections between biochar particles and soil minerals.
A new study finds that large-scale food fortification programs currently prevent around 7 billion cases of micronutrient inadequacies worldwide each year, costing just 18 cents per person. Improving and expanding these programs could triple their impact to prevent 25 billion cases annually.
Researchers at Curtin University discovered how ancient ichthyosaur fossils formed in oxygen-free ocean floor settings. Anaerobic microbes triggered chemical reactions that caused minerals to form inside the bones, preserving them three-dimensionally.
The collaboration aims to assess cross-border climate risk across the minerals-energy-food complex using Jupiter's ClimateScore Global platform. The MEF complex framework examines how climate hazards propagate through supply chains, affecting commodity prices and the pace of the energy transition.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to recover nearly all critical minerals from spent lithium-ion batteries, including metals like lithium and graphite. The process uses microwave-induced plasma treatment with room-temperature solvents, resulting in high recovery rates and minimal environmental impact.
Researchers combine biochar with naturally occurring minerals to create more durable and effective materials for improving soil fertility, capturing contaminants, and delivering nutrients. Engineered composites show promising potential for agricultural and pollution control applications.