By-product metals are technologically essential but have problematic supply
N T Nassar1, T E Graedel1, E M Harper1
1Center for Industrial Ecology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
Science Advances
|November 25, 2015
Summary
Many essential metals for technology are by-products, risking supply chain stability. Over half of studied metals show high by-product dependence, with 18 facing critical supply risks due to concentrated production and low recycling.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Geochemistry
- Supply Chain Management
Background:
- Technological innovation relies on diverse metals, but supply chain vulnerabilities are growing.
- Many critical metals are by-products of limited ore deposits, creating supply risks.
- Companionality, a metal's by-product status, significantly impacts supply chain reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the companionality of 62 metals and metalloids.
- To identify critical metals at high risk of supply constraints.
- To assess the link between companionality, geopolitical concentration, and recycling rates.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated the companionality of 62 metals and metalloids.
- Analyzed production data for geopolitical concentration.
- Assessed end-of-life recycling rates for critical elements.
Main Results:
- 61% (38 of 62) of metals exhibit over 50% companionality.
- Eighteen metals, including germanium, terbium, and dysprosium, have concentrated production and low recycling.
- These critical companion metals are vital for electronics, solar energy, and medical imaging.
Conclusions:
- A significant portion of essential metals face supply risks due to their by-product nature.
- Geopolitically concentrated production and low recycling exacerbate supply risks for critical companion metals.
- Urgent strategies are needed to mitigate supply constraints for these vital technological elements.
More Related Videos
14:51An Available Technique for Preparation of New Cast MnCuNiFeZnAl Alloy with Superior Damping Capacity and High Service Temperature
Published on: September 23, 2018
7.5K
11:14Two-way Valorization of Blast Furnace Slag: Synthesis of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Zeolitic Heavy Metal Adsorbent
Published on: February 21, 2017
13.0K
Related Concept Videos
01:26Steel Manufacturing
1.8K
Steel manufacturing is a multi-stage process that begins by smelting iron ore into cast iron in a blast furnace. This initial stage involves layering iron ore with coke, a type of fuel, and crushed limestone within the furnace. The coke is ignited with a high volume of air, leading to the creation of carbon monoxide, which acts to reduce the iron ore to pure iron.
During this smelting process, limestone plays a crucial role by forming slag. Slag captures impurities within the molten iron, such...
During this smelting process, limestone plays a crucial role by forming slag. Slag captures impurities within the molten iron, such...
1.8K
01:24Structural Steel Products
762
Structural steel products are created within a structural mill. The process begins with a beam blank that is reheated and then fed through a series of rollers. These rollers progressively shape the metal into its final form. Adjusting the spacings between the rollers allows for the production of different sections with the same nominal dimensions.
Once shaped, the steel's final form emerges as a continuous length, which is then segmented by a hot saw into manageable pieces. These segments...
Once shaped, the steel's final form emerges as a continuous length, which is then segmented by a hot saw into manageable pieces. These segments...
762
01:27Microbial Leaching
73
Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...
73
02:37Metallic Solids
21.3K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
21.3K
02:51Metal-Ligand Bonds
25.6K
The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
25.6K
01:24Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles
61
Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...
61