Critical mineral supply concerns the identification, extraction, processing, and recycling of materials essential for energy, defense, and high‑technology systems, with particular emphasis on rare earth elements, uranium, lithium, graphite, and related metals. The field examines geological resources, waste and urban mining pathways, nuclear fuel cycle by‑products, and advanced materials development alongside geopolitical dependencies, trade controls, and national strategies. It also addresses supply‑chain vulnerabilities and sustainability constraints that influence low‑carbon energy transitions and long‑term resource security.
Business
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published a report identifying strategies for developing a more efficient, sustainable and resilient U.S. metals processing infrastructure, where metals are used ...
Nov 20, 2025
0
15
Business
Silicon, aluminum and lithium are the most critical raw materials on Earth. Their scarcity and the complexity of extracting them could hinder the development of technologies that are key to the green transition. This is one ...
Nov 18, 2025
0
25
Consumer & Gadgets
Researchers are developing reusable and environmentally friendly electronics for the health care, consumer and manufacturing sectors, replacing scarce materials with circular alternatives to build a sustainable future.
Nov 17, 2025
0
30
Energy & Green Tech
It is common for nuclear engineers to be concerned with the disposition of nuclear waste. After all, the United States alone currently has about 90,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel stored in concrete casks on nuclear ...
Nov 14, 2025
0
26
Engineering
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have harnessed artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery of new functional magnetic materials, creating a searchable database of 67,573 magnetic materials, including ...
Nov 7, 2025
0
151
Engineering
Nuclear waste remains a major environmental hazard due to its long-lasting radioactivity, which can persist for thousands of years. However, new research by University of Sharjah scientists, published in the journal Nuclear ...
Nov 4, 2025
0
71
Energy & Green Tech
China recently announced that it was putting new controls on the export of rare earth elements, sparking a new round in the country's ongoing trade war with the US.
Oct 30, 2025
0
31
Energy & Green Tech
Donald Trump's recent visit to the UK saw a so-called "landmark partnership" on nuclear energy. London and Washington announced plans to build 20 small modular reactors and also develop microreactor technology—despite the ...
Oct 27, 2025
0
42
Energy & Green Tech
Our cars are responsible for about 20% of global carbon emissions. The move to electric vehicles (EVs) is central to the effort to decarbonize the world's transport.
Oct 27, 2025
0
35
Energy & Green Tech
What makes a mineral critical? Put simply, critical minerals help create the essential everyday items we all use. But these minerals may not be easy to get.
Oct 23, 2025
0
28
