Lithium and the Foreseeable Future

This paper aims to clarify the uncertainties regarding worldwide lithium resource availability in the years to come. Previous studies made on the subject are presented with some ambiguity and this work intends to fill the gaps. The information and data presented throughout this script with respect to global lithium resources and reserves are mostly based on data released by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Lithium resource availability in the future is a point of paramount significance primarily for the automotive, portable electronics, and the power generation industry. Since, a change of supply would ultimately affect the price of lithium, which would then affect the industries mentioned. Theoretical scenarios and predictions about future lithium supply and demand are presented at the latter part of this paper intended to give the reader a better understanding of the actual size of the total global lithium resources

Alternative Transport in Mining

Abstract Investigating the 2D-T 2-T 2-relaxation exchange of inter-stitial water in a packing of sedimented Stöber-silicate spheres, we come the conclusion that contrary to its behaviour in macro-pores, water confined in nano-pores of silica exhibits enhanced diffusivity. The 2D-experiments, performed at different temperatures, reveal a temperature-dependent bimodal relaxation distribution and two-site relaxation exchange. Our recently introduced kinetic multi-site exchange model is applied to derive the according exchange rates. The resulting Arrhenius plot produces an exchange activation energy of 7 kJ/mol, which is well below the hydrogen bond energy or the activation energy for self-diffusion of water in the bulk. A possible hopping-mechanism as the source of enhanced proton-diffusion in nanoporous silica is discussed, as well as its significance to mass transfer in porous media.</jats:p

Identifying the impact of the circular economy on the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Industry Opportunities and challenges for businesses, workers and consumers – mobile phones as an example STUDY

Mobile phones, particularly smartphones, have undergone a period of rapid growth to become virtually indispensable to today's lifestyle. Yet their production, use and disposal can entail a significant environmental burden. This study looks at the opportunities and challenges that arise from implementing circular economy approaches in the mobile phone value chain. A review of the value chain and different circular approaches is complemented by a scenario analysis that aims to quantify the potential impacts of certain circular approaches such as recycling, refurbishment and lifetime extension. The study finds that there is a large untapped potential for recovering materials from both the annual flow of new mobile phones sold in Europe once they reach the end of their life and the accumulated stock of unused, so-called hibernating devices in EU households. Achieving high recycling rates for these devices can offer opportunities to reduce EU dependence on imported materials and make secondary raw materials available on the EU market. As such, policy action would be required to close the collection gap for mobile phone devices. Implementing circular approaches in the mobile phone value chain can furthermore lead to job creation in the refurbishment sector. Extending the lifetime of mobile phones can also provide CO2 mitigation benefits, particularly from displacing the production of new devices

Increased Cycling Efficiency and Rate Capability of Copper-coated Silicon Anodes in Lithium-ion Batteries

Cycling efficiency and rate capability of porous copper-coated, amorphous silicon thin-film negative electrodes are compared to equivalent silicon thin-film electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. The presence of a copper layer coated on the active material plays a beneficial role in increasing the cycling efficiency and the rate capability of silicon thin-film electrodes. Between 3C and C/8 discharge rates, the available cell energy decreased by 8% and 18% for 40 nm copper-coated silicon and equivalent silicon thin-film electrodes, respectively. Copper-coated silicon thin-film electrodes also show higher cycling efficiency, resulting in lower capacity fade, than equivalent silicon thin-film electrodes. We believe that copper appears to act as a glue that binds the electrode together and prevents the electronic isolation of silicon particles, thereby decreasing capacity loss. Rate capability decreases significantly at higher copper-coating thicknesses as the silicon active-material is not accessed, suggesting that the thickness and porosity of the copper coating need to be optimized for enhanced capacity retention and rate capability in this system.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure

Battery powered high efficiency drive systems in practical applications

Since about 30 years three-phase variable speed drives are the standard industrial solution when high reliability, high ingress protection of machine and especially high efficiency are required. Generally, these drives are powered from the grid due to their high power capability. Through Lithium-Ion rechargable batteries, electric variable speed drives for commercial vehicles as cars and trucks become feasible. These Lithium-Ion batteries are no more a completely constant voltage source but vary the voltage mainly dependent on state of charge by about plus and minus 15%. Power electronics for the drive have to cope with this and are strongly influenced by the type of motor, too. Power insertion comes from the grid by special chargers or in case of big mining trucks, by catenaries. Commercial battery powered drives are common between some kW up to 100 kW but are extended up to 800 kW in a heavy truck implementation study

Minerals in Afghanistan : rare-metal deposits

In Afghanistan rare metals (lithium, caesium, tantalum and niobium) occur in three main deposit types: pegmatites, mineralised springs and playa-lake sediments (Figure 1). The most potentially significant, easily extractable resources of rare metals in Afghanistan occur in mineralised springs and playas, although there is also considerable potential for exploiting hard-rock pegmatite deposits. Globally, rare metals are produced from deposits in these three settings, chiefly in Chile, Argentina, the USA and Turkey. Lithium has many uses, for example in batteries, in the glass and ceramics industry, and in high performance alloys for aircraft. Most tantalum is used to produce capacitors that are used in laptop computers, mobile phones and digital cameras. Niobium is primarily used in specialist steels although it also shares some uses with tantalum since it has almost identical chemical properties

From <i>extractive</i> to <i>transformative</i> industries:paths for linkages and diversification for resource-driven development

While conventional wisdom has placed the focus of the mining and oil and gas sectors on the fact of extraction, a prolific line of the debate on these industries is shifting towards the extent to which resources, as initial assets, can be transformed into broader-based development by promoting cross-sectoral linkages and diversification. This paper provides an overview of the Special Issue of Mineral Economics “Can Mining be a Catalyst for Diversifying Economies”, exploring trends and suggesting challenges for concepts and practice in these industries. It points to the Post-2015 Development Agenda as an opportunity of a transformational role for the mining industry

Computational predictions of energy materials using density functional theory

In the search for new functional materials, quantum mechanics is an exciting starting point. The fundamental laws that govern the behaviour of electrons have the possibility, at the other end of the scale, to predict the performance of a material for a targeted application. In some cases, this is achievable using density functional theory (DFT). In this Review, we highlight DFT studies predicting energy-related materials that were subsequently confirmed experimentally. The attributes and limitations of DFT for the computational design of materials for lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen production and storage materials, superconductors, photovoltaics and thermoelectric materials are discussed. In the future, we expect that the accuracy of DFT-based methods will continue to improve and that growth in computing power will enable millions of materials to be virtually screened for specific applications. Thus, these examples represent a first glimpse of what may become a routine and integral step in materials discovery