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Short-loop battery recycling uses vegetable-oil nanoemulsion
Efficient and sustainable recycling of lithium-ion batteries is a crucial element in electrifying transportation. Black mass is a mixture of cathode and anode materials remaining after disassembly and shredding of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Many valuable materials, including lithium and…
The chemistry of semiconductors
Semiconductors are vital components in the modern technologies that we use in our everyday lives, both in industrial automation and consumer products. Computers, automobile electronics, smartphones and other “smart” devices, robotics and medical devices that depend on semiconductor chips are…
New production facility for high-purity graphene announced in Texas
A new facility in Texas to manufacture high-purity graphene powder from acetylene has been announced by HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. (Vancouver, B.C.; www.hydrograph.com). At capacity, the facility will generate thousands of metric tons per year of sp2-bonded powdered graphene with…
Selective silica removal makes for better bauxite beneficiation
The extraction of alumina from bauxite is significantly impacted by the silica content of the ore — specifically the presence of silica in kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4). This is because traditional bauxite-beneficiation methods, such as washing, flotation and particle-size separation, also typically…
An integrated process makes valuable mid-chain carboxylic acids from organic waste
A dual process strategy bridging fermentation and electrochemistry is enabling the production of mid-chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs) — important and valuable precursors to a number of products — using inexpensive organic waste streams from breweries, distilleries and dairies. Developed by…
Regenerative blowers with premium corrosion resistance
Rotron CP and EN regenerative blowers (photo) are engineered to provide safety and efficiency in hazardous and corrosive environments. Constructed from aluminum, these blowers are naturally spark- and corrosion-resistant, distinguishing them from other blowers that are typically made of steel…
Two-pronged approach recycles textile waste while also producing glucose
Glucose is a key pillar in producing bio-based alternatives to conventional chemicals, but finding industrially viable, non-food-competitive sources for glucose has proven challenging, due to the difficulty in obtaining glucose from hemicellulosic materials, such as woody biomass, in a cost…
Emissions Mitigation: Each Process Requires a Unique Decarbonization Solution
Industries face significant emissions-reduction and decarbonization challenges, but there is a clear path forward through strategic adoption of process optimization and new technology integration The chemical process industries (CPI) and associated value chains are as diverse as the products they…
Graphene: Breakthrough Industrial Applications
As research continues, commercial applications expand and manufacturing scales up, graphene is not only set to invigorate existing industries, but also to lay the groundwork for entirely new ones Graphene, a two-dimensional material derived solely from carbon, is one of…
Data Analytics Enhance Sustainability Outcomes
Using the right tools, chemical manufacturers can make sustainable step changes, such as for emissions reductions, while also increasing operational efficiency and product yield The chemical process industries (CPI) are characterized by faithful devotion to tried-and-true procedures, yielding efficient production,…