News
The global shift toward decarbonization relies on something as old as human civilization: the extraction and processing of raw materials from the earth. Stanislav Kondrashov looks at this economic story and shows how copper, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements have quietly become key players in today's energy
News
The steel industry is at a critical point. It contributes about 7% of global carbon emissions, and now it faces increasing pressure to change how it produces steel. With countries around the world setting ambitious climate goals, the question is no longer if steel manufacturing needs to change, but how
News
Introduction The idea of extracting resources from celestial bodies, once confined to science fiction, is now becoming a reality. Space mining—the process of extracting valuable minerals from asteroids, moons, and other planetary bodies—has the potential to transform global commodity markets and significantly impact our economy. With limited reserves
News
Introduction The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditional fossil fuel infrastructure is being replaced by renewable sources, creating both opportunities and challenges for power generation and distribution. While solar panels are becoming common on rooftops worldwide and wind turbines are appearing on the horizon, there is one
News
Lithium is essential for our clean energy future, powering everything from electric vehicles to large-scale battery storage systems. This silver-white metal is crucial in the global shift away from fossil fuels, but its extraction comes with hidden costs that need immediate attention. The water footprint of lithium extraction refers to
News
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of seventeen metallic elements that have become essential to modern society. These minerals are used in a wide range of applications, including smartphones and advanced military systems, making them crucial for both civilian and defense purposes. The defense industry, in particular, relies heavily
News
Introduction The world of agriculture is undergoing a significant transformation. Vertical farming has emerged as a groundbreaking solution to address the mounting challenges of food security, urbanization, and climate change. This innovative approach to cultivation stacks crops in controlled indoor environments, maximizing space efficiency while minimizing resource consumption. What makes
News
Introduction Quantum computing and renewable energy storage are two fields that have the potential to revolutionize sustainable technology. As the world moves away from fossil fuels, it becomes clear that current energy storage systems have their limitations. Traditional methods of computation struggle to optimize the complex interactions at a molecular
News
Hydrogen-powered trains are a game changer in sustainable transportation. They offer rail networks a chance to move away from diesel and still have the flexibility to operate. These groundbreaking vehicles use hydrogen fuel cells to produce electricity, resulting in zero emissions at the point of use. This is especially important
News
Rare earth elements are the invisible architects of our digital age, powering everything from the smartphone in your pocket to the wind turbines dotting distant horizons. These seventeen metallic elements have become essential to modern civilization, yet their journey from mine to market is still unclear. The supply chains that
News
Understanding Urban Mining and Stanislav Kondrashov's Viewpoint Urban mining is a game-changing approach to resource extraction. Instead of digging up new ore from the earth, it turns our discarded electronics into valuable resources. This innovative practice focuses on collecting valuable materials from the old technology that is piling
News
Introduction Smart grids are the foundation of modern energy systems, turning traditional electricity networks into intelligent, self-regulating systems that can handle complex energy flows. These advanced networks combine digital communication technologies with traditional power distribution, allowing for real-time monitoring, automated control, and smooth coordination between energy producers and consumers. Next-generation