Articles tagged with "copper"
UK-made super materials to shield fusion reactors from extreme heat
The UK has made a significant advancement toward its goal of operating a prototype fusion power plant by 2040 through the launch of DIADEM, a research initiative focused on overcoming a major materials engineering challenge. Fusion reactors require components that can withstand extreme heat—up to 3,000°C—and intense magnetic fields. Tungsten and copper are ideal materials for these conditions due to tungsten’s high melting point and copper’s excellent heat conduction. However, their vastly different melting points and thermal expansion rates have made traditional joining methods like welding or casting ineffective, often resulting in cracks or separation. DIADEM, led by the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing, is addressing this by using Multi-Metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion (MM-LPBF), an advanced 3D printing technique that simultaneously fabricates tungsten-copper components from the ground up. This process creates “metamaterials” with a smooth microscopic transition between the two metals, eliminating weak seams and improving durability. This breakthrough not only advances
materialsfusion-energyadditive-manufacturingmetamaterialstungstencopper3D-printingBloomberg — Copper & Silver Prices Suggest Gains For Renewables & EVs - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica, referencing Bloomberg analysis, highlights the recent surge in copper and silver prices driven by growing demand from renewable energy sectors and electric vehicles (EVs). Silver reached an unprecedented $80 per troy ounce, rising 18% in a week, while copper hit a record $5.92 per pound with a 6.3% gain. These metals are critical for electrical systems, with copper widely used in wiring and silver valued for its superior conductivity, especially in solar panel manufacturing and EV components. Notably, EVs require significantly more silver and copper than traditional combustion engine vehicles, and the rise of AI chips further intensifies demand amid stagnant mining production. The supply-demand imbalance is pushing prices higher, reflecting fundamental economic principles. However, increasing supply to meet demand poses environmental challenges, as copper mining is resource-intensive and polluting, involving large-scale excavation and potential release of toxic substances. Recycling copper offers a more energy-efficient alternative, consuming up to 90% less energy
energyrenewable-energyelectric-vehiclescoppersilvercommoditiessolar-panelsSeabed Mining Meets Reality: What the Technoeconomic Evidence Shows - CleanTechnica
The article discusses a recent technoeconomic assessment of deep-sea mining commissioned by the National Ocean Protection Coalition (NOPC) and presented in a webinar. Deep-sea mining, which targets metals like nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper essential for clean energy and defense technologies, has yet to be commercialized at scale. While proponents claim it offers economic benefits, strategic advantages, and ethical mineral sourcing, opponents highlight significant environmental risks and the opposition of Indigenous and Pacific communities most affected by such activities. The debate intensified following a 2025 U.S. executive order accelerating seabed mining approvals, with leases proposed near sensitive marine monuments in U.S. Pacific waters and potential permits for international waters that could challenge existing global agreements. Key points from the assessment emphasize that deep-sea mining faces strong resistance from local governments and communities, including American Samoa and other Pacific states, many of which have banned or restricted mining in their waters. Scientific evidence confirms the potential for widespread and irreversible ocean harm, though the extent remains
energyseabed-miningdeep-sea-mineralsclean-energy-materialsnickelcobaltmanganesecopperA Techno-Economic Assessment of Seabed Mining: American Samoa and Global Implications - CleanTechnica
The article discusses a techno-economic assessment of seabed mining in the American Samoa region, commissioned by the National Ocean Protection Coalition (NOPC), a coalition of over 90 organizations advocating for marine protected areas in the U.S. The study, conducted by the author and metallurgical engineer Lyle Trytten, aims to evaluate whether seabed mining there is economically viable and technically feasible. This assessment responds to polarized debates where proponents cite seabed mining as critical for securing future supplies of nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese, while opponents emphasize environmental risks, regulatory uncertainties, and the historical failures of offshore mining projects. NOPC sought a neutral, engineering-based analysis focusing on actual hardware, supply chains, and market realities rather than optimistic projections or marketing claims. The report highlights that polymetallic nodules, which accumulate over millions of years in deep ocean basins, vary significantly in composition across regions. The closest analogue to American Samoa’s nodules is the Cook Islands, which differ notably from the better
energymaterialsseabed-miningcritical-mineralsnickelcobaltcoppermetallurgical-engineeringCIA’s Kryptos mystery solution heads to auction after 35 years
The CIA’s Kryptos sculpture, a cryptographic artwork created by Jim Sanborn and installed at the agency’s Langley headquarters in 1990, is nearing the end of its decades-long mystery. While the first three of its four coded panels have been solved, the final panel, known as K4, has resisted all decoding attempts despite limited hints from Sanborn. In November 2025, Sanborn plans to auction the handwritten plaintext solution to K4, along with related papers and a copper proof-of-concept plate, with an expected winning bid between $300,000 and $500,000. Sanborn hopes the buyer will maintain the secret and potentially oversee future verification of code-breaking attempts. Over the years, Kryptos has attracted thousands of solvers, including persistent individuals and renewed interest fueled by popular culture references such as Dan Brown’s novels. However, the rise of artificial intelligence has led to many inaccurate attempts, which partly motivated Sanborn’s decision to sell the final solution. Pro
materialssculpturecoppercryptographyart-installationcodebreakingauctionElectrification Won’t Crash On Copper: Debunking Latest Claims - CleanTechnica
The April 2025 paper by Cathles et al., which has gained traction in industry and policy discussions, claims that global copper supply will severely constrain electrification and renewable energy deployment. However, this CleanTechnica article critically examines these assertions and finds them significantly flawed. The paper overestimates copper requirements for energy storage by at least a factor of 100 and also inflates copper needs for electric vehicles (EVs). It neglects important factors such as copper substitution with aluminum and other materials, the rise of zero-copper sodium-ion batteries, and underestimates the impact of copper recycling. Consequently, its conclusions about copper shortages and the need for extensive new mining are deemed not credible. Specifically, the authors assume an unrealistically high copper content of 80 kg per EV, whereas industry trends and innovations suggest much lower usage—potentially as low as 20 to 30 kg per vehicle. Advances such as higher-voltage architectures (800V+), aluminum wiring (already used by
energycopperelectric-vehiclesbattery-technologyrenewable-energymaterials-innovationelectric-motor-designSouth America find 13 million tons in copper, gold, silver deposits
materialscoppergoldsilverminingresourcesgeology