Articles tagged with Precious Metals
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.
Researchers found that atoms on certain gold surfaces naturally rearrange themselves into protective patterns that suppress reactions with oxygen. This discovery helps explain why gold jewelry and objects can remain untarnished for centuries.
Research suggests that hydrous and repeated mantle melting is key driver of gold enrichment in island arc magmas. The study found that high-degree melting leads to significant concentrations of gold, often several times higher than those found in mid-ocean ridge basalts.
Nagoya University researchers have developed an iron-based alternative to expensive chiral ligands in metal-based photocatalysts, achieving a precise radical cation cyclization and the first total asymmetric synthesis of (+)-heitziamide A using blue LED light and abundant iron.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found ways to stabilize ubiquitous iron components for use in fuel cells, replacing expensive platinum metals. This innovation aims to lower costs for fuel-cell vehicles and other niche applications, enabling widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel-cell technology.
A team of researchers at Chalmers University of Technology has developed a new way to produce hydrogen gas without the use of platinum, a scarce and expensive metal. The process uses sunlight and tiny particles of electrically conductive plastic to efficiently produce hydrogen.
Critical raw materials are projected to grow from 1 million tonnes in 2022 to between 1.2 and 1.9 million tonnes by 2050. Europe can recover more of these essential materials by improving collection, design, and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Gold mining in the Amazon depletes land of its water, creating harsh conditions where replanted seedlings can't survive. Researchers suggest flattening sand piles and filling in ponds could improve moisture retention and boost regrowth.
Scientists from the University of Göttingen have made a groundbreaking discovery, finding ruthenium in volcanic rocks on the islands of Hawaii. The finding suggests that material from the Earth's core is leaking into the mantle above, challenging previous assumptions about the planet's internal dynamics.
A recent study finds that garnet-type solid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries offer only marginal increases in energy density. Researchers suggest alternative hybrid approaches to improve manufacturability and reduce weight while maintaining performance.
Researchers found that applying external pressures can alleviate Li loss and battery degradation by alleviating SEI aggregation. Pressure regulation can rejuvenate I-iLi, reducing its content and Li loss. The study suggests a promising approach for advancing practical Li metal batteries.
A team of scientists has developed an aerogel made from chitosan and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose that addresses the dual challenge of tannery wastewater treatment and resource utilization. The aerogel demonstrates exceptional adsorption capacities for Cr(III), Al(III), and Zr(IV) ions, commonly found in tannery effluents.
A novel citric-acid-based method has been developed to recycle metals from NCM cathodes with minimal energy usage and lower emissions. The process involves a relatively small amount of citric acid, allowing for efficient separation and reclamation of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese metals.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel screening methodology using machine learning to identify key design guidelines for ternary metal sulfide electrocatalysts. Focusing on crystal structure leads to better results, overcoming challenges in material properties and electrochemical performance analysis.
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz create a new approach to prepare highly efficient dyad photocatalysts through electrostatic interactions, outperforming established catalysts. The novel method enables the use of inexpensive additives to improve performance and durability.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective and easily reproducible point-of-care testing device that can accurately measure cortisol levels in the blood. The device uses iridium oxide nanoparticles to improve stability, sensitivity, and selectivity, allowing for commercial use.
Researchers discovered that sponges in the Gulf of Eilat employ a unique tactic to deter predators by storing high concentrations of toxic molybdenum. The symbiotic relationship between the sponge and a bacterium enables this process, allowing the sponge to accumulate metals and neutralize their toxicity.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that prehistoric Europeans spent on small everyday expenses more often than large ones, consistent with modern Western economies. The researchers also discovered metal fragments circulated as money around 1,500 BC, supporting the idea of a market economy from an early stage.
Researchers developed a method to produce cobalt nanoparticles with controlled crystal phase, leading to higher selectivity and efficiency in hydrogenation reactions. The study showcases the potential of abundant cobalt as an alternative to noble metal catalysts.
Researchers develop a new method to grow single-crystal perovskite hydrides, allowing for accurate measurement of intrinsic H- conductivity. The technique enables the production of high-quality crystals with minimal imperfections, paving the way for sustainable energy technologies and hydrogen storage applications.
Rice University researchers have developed a transformative approach to harnessing the catalytic power of aluminum nanoparticles by annealing them in various gas atmospheres at high temperatures. This allows for modifying the structure of the oxide layer, making the nanoparticles versatile tools for different applications.
A study found that glitter's metal coating reduces light penetration, impairing photosynthesis of Large-flowered waterweed Egeria densa and affecting aquatic plant growth. The experiment showed a significant decrease in photosynthesis rates with the presence of glitter, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives.
A new project, NaKlaR, aims to improve the efficiency and sustainability of sodium-ion batteries by optimizing production processes and recyclability. The goal is to develop a battery with performance comparable to current reference cells while containing at least 25% recycled electrode material.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science used deep learning to predict single-molecule magnets from a pool of 20,000 metal complexes, identifying 70% accuracy in distinguishing between SMMs and non-SMMs.
The team proposed a novel machine learning model with data augmentation, which accurately predicts the plastic anisotropic properties of wrought Mg alloys. The model showed significantly better robustness and generalizability than other models, paving the way for improved design and manufacturing of metal products.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.
Researchers discovered bimetallic tartrate complexes with unique structures, formed by insufficient ligand, leading to improved sensor characteristics for microbiosensors. The study showcases the potential of laser-induced chemical liquid phase deposition for creating nanostructures with various applications.
A £5.4 million project, backed by Innovate UK, aims to develop a new value chain to convert industrial waste gases into sustainable materials for consumer products. The consortium, including Unilever and BASF, will seek to demonstrate how the UK can cut 15-20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Researchers have developed a novel technique to produce hydrogen peroxide without releasing carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The method uses photocatalysis and carbon nitride as a catalyst, making it more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
New research reveals mangroves can withstand heavy metal contamination without adverse health impacts. Grey mangroves were found to tolerate high lead and zinc levels in contaminated sediment, highlighting their role in stabilising polluted regions.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a new method for converting plastics into valuable chemicals using hydrogenolysis. The process reduces the use of precious metal ruthenium while increasing efficiency and selectivity.
Researchers have designed an iron catalyst to facilitate the olefin metathesis reaction, a widely applicable catalytic reaction for carbon-carbon double bond formation. The iron-based catalyst shows promise in reducing costs and environmental impact compared to traditional ruthenium-based catalysts.
A study published in Applied Economics analyzed the relationship between precious metal commodities and equity markets, revealing that gold and aluminum are the most desirable metals for investment. The research also found that copper and zinc have the largest spillovers on global equity indices.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a non-toxic alternative to traditional cyanide-based gold extraction processes. The new chloride-based method, called EDRR, achieves an impressive 84% gold recovery rate, surpassing the 64% recovered with traditional cyanide methods.
A database of 3,000 lead isotope analyses has been compiled for the Iberian Peninsula, providing a comprehensive resource for geological and archaeological research. The IBERLID database includes standardized data on minerals, rocks, and metallic objects, facilitating comparison and analysis.
Researchers analyzed tool fragments, raw materials, and complete objects excavated from two sites in Ribe, Denmark, to understand the evolution of Viking metalwork. They found rapid technological advances in combining metals into mixes and refining their process over time.
Researchers have discovered Stegosaurus teeth from Eastern Siberia that exhibit a high wear and replacement rate, suggesting the dinosaur may have adapted to life in high-latitude environments. The findings could provide insights into the biology and ecology of these fascinating creatures.
A KIST research team developed a catalyst that converts CO2 into chemicals using 20% less iridium than existing catalysts, showing at least 31% higher performance. The catalyst maintains high durability for hundreds of hours, reducing energy required during the process by more than half.
The NIST electromagnetic phantom is a standardized test object that mimics the human body's electrical conductivity. This phantom allows for reproducible testing of walk-through metal detectors, enabling more accurate discrimination between threatening and non-threatening objects.
A case report found that oral piercing can cause localized gingival recession, increasing the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Researchers warn of other complications such as infection, swelling, and metal hypersensitivity.
Scientists at Max-Planck Institute report strong violations of classical constraints on electron mean free path in metallic fullerenes, challenging the semi-classical approach. The study suggests that metallic behavior can occur with a mean free path less than atomic distance, indicating a breakdown of the semi-classical picture.
Some smelter slags produce toxic elements like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and copper when exposed to natural weathering conditions. Researchers have found high levels of these elements in slag dumps, contaminating nearby water sources.
Research at Cambridge and Oxford universities is using magnetic forces to levitate, stir and dam molten metal, reducing pollution and increasing efficiency. New devices are producing high-quality sheet metal with reduced edges and improved aluminum smelting costs.
Researchers found a spherical object in the Khohar chondrite containing fine-grained metal aggregate and graphite. The graphite exhibits large D and 15N excesses, suggesting an interstellar origin, and is abundant with coexisting metal particles. These findings provide evidence of interstellar graphite in meteorites.
The new sonochemical synthesis technique creates highly magnetic metal powders with clusters of a few hundred atoms, exhibiting superparamagnetic behavior. These powders have the potential to be used in various applications including information storage, audio reproduction, and magnetic sealing.