Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

MIT researchers use CT scans to unravel mysteries of early metal production

Researchers at MIT used CT scans to study 5,000-year-old slag waste from an ancient site in Iran, revealing fine details about structures within the pieces. The technique complements traditional methods of studying ancient artifacts, shedding light on materials used and technological sophistication of early metallurgists.

How mercury emissions from industry can be greatly reduced

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have created a new method for removing mercury from concentrated sulphuric acid, reducing levels by more than 90%. This innovation could lead to reduced mercury emissions and the production of high-purity, non-toxic products in industries such as mining and metal refining.

Urban mining for metals flashes forward

A new process recovers rhodium, palladium, gold and silver from electronic waste in seconds, producing a byproduct clean enough for agricultural land. The flash Joule heating method uses significantly less energy than traditional lab methods, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Energy-efficient green route to magnesium production

Researchers developed a novel smelting method for magnesium metal, utilizing an antenna structure to absorb microwave energy and reduce temperature, resulting in significant energy savings. The technique has the potential to be applied to other metal materials, helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and combat global warming.

Lead pollution beat explorers to South Pole, persists today

Industrial air pollution from smelting and mining activities arrived at the South Pole in the late 19th century, decades before Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen's historic visit in 1911. The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that lead concentrations peaked in 1900 and remained high until the 1920s.

University of Houston hosts book symposium on Smeltertown, Oct. 28

A new book by UH history professor Monica Perales unearths the history of Smeltertown, a Southwest Border community that was home to generations of ethnic Mexicans. The book symposium will explore the significance of this forgotten community and its place in transnational capitalism.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Study: Inhabitants of early settlement were desperate to find metals

The study found that the inhabitants of Christopher Columbus' settlement in La Isabela, Dominican Republic, desperately tried to extract silver from lead ore brought from Spain. They discovered an improvised smelting process to separate the precious metal, but their methods were not efficient.

Electrode to lower cost of aluminum smelting, lessen pollution

A new electrode design using fuel cell technology could potentially cut aluminum smelting costs by one-fourth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half. The proposed design would replace carbon anodes with zirconia tubes carrying natural gas, eliminating fluorocarbon production and reducing power consumption by 40%.