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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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPLOS One·DateNov 18, 2025
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

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.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalACS ES&T Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2023

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.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2021

Mesoamerican copper smelting technology aided colonial weaponry

Spanish invaders depended on Mesoamerican copper smelting technology to produce bronze artillery pieces. Indigenous experts shared their knowledge with European colonizers, allowing them to smelt copper and create essential armaments.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalLatin American Antiquity·DateMar 31, 2020

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.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 17, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 28, 2014

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.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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%.

SourceOhio State University·DateJul 11, 2000