A Yale University study has assessed the criticality of metals in the geological copper family, finding arsenic as the most vulnerable to long-term supply disruption. The research methodology evaluates supply risk, environmental implications, and vulnerability to supply restriction, highlighting the importance of considering these fact...
A new study finds arsenic to be the most critical metal, followed by silver and selenium, in sustaining modern technology. The research highlights the need for corporations and nations to identify their unique set of critical materials and stabilize supply chains.
Yale researchers developed a methodology to evaluate the importance of scarce metals using supply risk, environmental implications, and vulnerability analysis. The new approach provides a standardized framework for corporations and national governments to inform strategic decision-making around resource use.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have isolated biofilms that can detoxify tailings water by removing toxins and metals. These microorganisms are highly tolerant to stress associated with pollutants, making them a promising solution for cleaning oilsands-related water.
The cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) system removes heavy metals from water by increasing their concentration, making it possible for a proven metal-removal technique to take over. The automated CEP system can remove up to 99% of copper, cadmium, and nickel, returning the contaminated water to federally accepted standards.
Researchers found two clouds of primordial gas that match theoretical predictions, with a composition of mostly hydrogen and helium. This discovery challenges our understanding of how metals are distributed in the universe and provides new constraints on the modern cosmological explanation for element origins.
Researchers have provided the first ever map of the genes that determine how bacteria interact with their surrounding environment. The study reveals critical genetic secrets of a bacterium that holds potential for removing toxic and radioactive waste from the environment.
Geologists are sounding the alarm on metal shortages, citing a surge in demand for metals in consumer products. The inexorable increase in production and usage of metals such as copper, nickel, and neodymium is putting pressure on supply chains.
Ceramics researchers at Lehigh University have obtained unprecedented atomic-scale images of grain boundaries in metals, revealing a bilayer phase transition that weakens the material. This discovery paves the way for scientists to prevent liquid metal embrittlement by strengthening chemical bonds.
Researchers at RIKEN Advanced Science Institute synthesized new heterometallic hydride clusters using rare-earth and d-transition metals, enabling analysis via X-ray diffraction. These clusters exhibit unique reactivity properties pointing to new hydrogen storage techniques, promising environmentally-friendly solutions for clean energy.
A UK team has developed a novel electric motor for hybrid electric and pure electric vehicles that replaces rare earth metals with steel. This innovative technology aims to reduce the environmental impact and costs associated with mining these scarce materials.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully powered a fluorescent light bulb using a cable made of carbon nanotubes, which is six times lighter than copper and silver. The new material shows great promise for use in applications where weight is critical, such as airplanes and automobiles.
Researchers at the University of Bristol analyzed ancient rock samples to determine the origin of Earth's precious metals. They found that the planet's accessible reserves of gold and other precious elements are the result of a catastrophic meteorite shower that hit the Earth after its core formation.
As people age over 50, they lose ability to detect metallic flavors in water, including iron. This decline may lead to increased exposure to iron from drinking water, pipes, and dietary supplements, posing health concerns such as Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers designed a material that can make energy-storing hydrogen gas 10 times faster than natural enzyme, using inexpensive metals. The synthetic material works at 100,000 molecules of hydrogen gas every second and has potential applications in fuel cells.
Scientists have found that minced banana peels can quickly remove toxic metals like lead and copper from river water. The banana peel purification apparatus can be reused up to 11 times without losing its effectiveness, making it a promising alternative to traditional methods.
The University of Cincinnati has developed a lab-on-a-chip sensor that can detect highly electronegative heavy metals like manganese in human blood serum in just ten minutes. This sensor is environmentally friendly and child-friendly, making it an attractive option for clinical, occupational, and research settings.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a new method for processing metallic glass, utilizing inexpensive processes used to produce plastic parts. The new technique allows for the creation of strong, tough parts in just a few milliseconds.
Researchers have discovered that minced banana peels can quickly and efficiently remove toxic metals like lead and copper from river water, outperforming other materials in the process. The discovery could provide a sustainable solution for water purification, especially in areas where access to clean drinking water is limited.
Researchers at Yale University have successfully created complex shapes using newly developed bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) that can be blown molded with unprecedented ease and precision. The BMGs are twice as strong as typical steel, making them a promising material for various applications.
Scientists report that red mud's high alkalinity and salt content are the main threats to crop growth, not toxic metals or radioactivity. Adding gypsum can reduce alkalinity and accelerate salt removal, recommending long-term monitoring of metal levels in crops.
New nanoparticles designed to target fibrin in blood clots can be seen with a new type of CT scanner, providing early detection and potential treatment options for heart attacks. This technology has the potential to save lives by quickly identifying unstable plaque and guiding targeted treatments.
Researchers at NC State University create core/shell nanoparticles with gold and silver, as well as alloy nanoparticles, using the 'digestive ripening' technique. This method allows for control over optical properties of the resulting nanoparticles.
Scientists in Mexico and the US have synthesized gold and silver nanoparticles just 25 nanometers in diameter, which could have potential applications as catalysts, drug-delivery agents, and quantum dots. The analysis reveals multiple layers of shells within each particle, with some blending or alloying of metals.
Researchers are improving rain gardens to reduce runoff and filter pollutants, keeping toxic metals out of storm drains. Scientists have found that biochar-activated carbons can attract heavy metals, leading to more effective filtration.
The scarcity of new energy minerals will lead to a significant increase in trade tensions between nations. China's growing reliance on wind power to meet its renewable energy targets is exacerbating the issue, as the country needs rare earth elements like neodymium and selenium for high-strength magnets.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new organic solvent process that selectively dissolves noble metals like platinum, palladium, and gold. This ability to preferentially dissolve these metals creates a customized system with high control over the process.
Researchers at UConn have developed new alloy materials that behave like gold and resist oxidation, reducing reliance on precious metals. These materials improve contact resistance up to one-million-fold over pure base metals, making them a promising alternative for electronic applications.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a class of material known as metallacarborane that could store hydrogen at or better than benchmarks set by the US Department of Energy. The material has the potential to meet DOE storage goals for hydrogen fuel, which could be used in cars, fuel cells, and industry.
Scientists from Oxford University found that Alpine pennycress plants accumulate zinc, nickel, and cadmium to defend against bacterial infection. The study demonstrates a direct link between metal concentrations and resistance to disease.
Researchers have identified mechanisms allowing a common soil bacterium to recover precious metals from industrial waste. The discovery of 'BioPd' has great potential for generating clean energy and cleaning pollutants.
Researchers have developed a method to remove contaminants from stormwater runoff using 'filter socks' containing compost. The socks captured silt, heavy metals, fertilizers, and petroleum products, reducing levels by up to 99%. Adding flocculation agents improved performance, removing nearly all pollutants and sediment.
A new survey method reveals a broader and more diverse array of metal-driven chemical processes in microbes than previously recognized. The research could lead to innovative biofuels and bioremediation technologies.
A new method has revealed a vast diversity of metal-containing proteins in organisms, with implications for understanding protein structure and function. The discovery is expected to lead to important breakthroughs in biological processes, disease detection, and the development of new drugs.
Researchers collecting mollusk specimens from the Gulf Coast will analyze growth rings in shells to determine how quickly harmful compounds from the oil become incorporated into the animals' bodies. They will also test for hydrocarbons in tissues and measure changes in growth rate and survivorship.
A Queen's University study found that Arctic seabirds' diets can funnel toxic ocean metals to terrestrial ecosystems, affecting other organisms. The research analyzed sediment cores from two Canadian Arctic ponds and linked bird diets to specific metal contaminants.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute synthesized a new molecular switch that can turn itself on and off in response to metallic ions. The 'Ouroborand' molecule, named after the mythical lizard, has potential applications in detecting metals, toxins, and pollutants.
Researchers found a new mechanism controlling peak strength in nanostructured metals by observing organized dislocation patterns in 3-D atomic simulations. The pattern, governed by nucleation, dictates the metal's strength or weakness.
High levels of copper and iron in older adults can lead to cell damage and increase the risk of age-related diseases. To mitigate this, individuals over 50 should consider avoiding certain supplements and taking steps to lower their exposure to these metals.
A recent study found that carnivorous plants can be harmed when consuming insects contaminated with toxic metals like cadmium. The research, published in Environmental Science & Technology, highlights the importance of limiting exposure to these metals to protect endangered plant species.
Scientists at Carnegie Institution used high-pressure techniques to study the connection between density and electronic structure of a cerium-aluminum metallic glass, opening up new possibilities for developing metallic glasses. The research found that high pressure causes changes in properties such as volume or electronic behavior, re...
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to transform polyethylene into a thermally conductive material, outperforming some metals in thermal conductivity. The new process involves aligning polymer molecules to enhance heat transfer efficiency.
The Center for Resource Recovery and Recycling (CR3) aims to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions by developing new technologies for maximizing metal recovery and recycling. The center will focus on promoting a more sustainable approach to metal use in the US, with research collaborations between academia and industry.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a process to recover significant quantities of rare-earth oxides from titanium dioxide minerals in industrial waste. The new method could make green technologies more accessible and reduce reliance on China's dominant supply of these resources.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered a method to turn metals black using a high-intensity laser burst, allowing them to detect electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz range. This technology has the potential to enable unprecedented diagnoses of diseases by detecting molecular properties of diseased tissues.
Astronomers using NASA's Suzaku orbiting X-ray observatory have discovered the largest known reservoir of rare metals in the universe, including chromium and manganese. The metallic atoms were detected in the hot gas between galaxies, providing insights into the chemical history of stars and galaxies.
A new study found that exposure to airborne metals like nickel and vanadium, as well as diesel exhaust particles, are associated with respiratory symptoms in young children. The study controlled for other risk factors and suggests improved regulatory action is needed to protect urban children.
Researchers found that copper and zinc toxicity in soybeans is additive, with high copper inhibiting zinc adsorption and causing more extractable zinc. Soil texture also influenced the degree of toxicity, with coarse-textured soils being more susceptible.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed hybrid molecules that can regulate copper-induced amyloid-beta aggregation, disrupting clump formation and breaking up existing clumps. The new compounds also hold promise in treating Alzheimer's disease and may be able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers found significant differences in heavy metal accumulation depending on mushroom species, with Chanterelles having high levels of lead and neodymium. The study suggests that the type of substrate plays a crucial role in metal accumulation, highlighting the need for further research into edible mushrooms
A new class of compounds containing Ruthenium and Osmium has been found to be highly effective in killing ovarian and colon cancer cells, even those resistant to Cisplatin. The discovery is a significant step forward in the field of medicinal chemistry.
A new study suggests that some minerals beneath the Earth's surface could be of extraterrestrial origin. Researchers propose that a 'rain' of comets and meteorites may have deposited precious metals such as platinum and rhodium in the rock portion of the Earth, challenging internal geological processes.
The study shows that aluminum atoms in the supporting material anchor platinum atoms, allowing them to group into rafts that provide ample space for catalytic reactions. Increasing the number of penta sites by raising the temperature during catalyst synthesis can lead to better dispersion of the platinum atoms.
A Missouri University researcher is studying sulfate-reducing bacteria that can convert toxic uranium into nearly insoluble uraninite, reducing contamination and environmental costs. The bacteria's ability to cleanse water is being explored, with potential applications for heavy metal pollution from storage tanks and industrial waste.
Researchers at MIT have successfully grown carbon nanotubes without a metal catalyst, using zirconium oxide instead, which could improve electronic performance and material strength
Researchers found that nickel isotopic fractionation may be a useful biomarker for identifying methanogenic microbes on the early Earth. The presence of specific isotopic fractions indicates biological processes, such as microbial assimilation or uptake of metals.
Researchers at NIST have discovered a striking similarity between the behavior of polycrystalline materials like metals and glasses. The findings could lead to better predictions of material failure and improve understanding of crystal formation.
Research confirms the transfer of zinc, cadmium, and copper from water to fish tissues in Huelva estuary. The study found positive correlations between metal levels in water and fish tissues, highlighting the impact of pollution on commercially important species.
Researchers at Caltech discovered a material that does not expand when heated, like most metals, and behaves like a metal with an entirely different chemical composition. By applying high pressure, they created nonexpanding metal alloys by forcing electrons into new states.
A species of bacteria, Brachybacterium sp Mn32, has been found to effectively remove manganese and absorb zinc and nickel from solutions. The bacterium's manganese oxides have a greater surface area, enabling more metal ions to be absorbed, making it a promising candidate for bioremediation and cleaning up heavy metal pollution.