One of the biggest arguments against the transition of clean energy is that the techniques for the extraction of power supply and devices create waste and exhausting resources.
However, researchers are working to improve the yield processes to make minerals as resistant as possible.
For example, a group of scientists in London are examining how to extract honey without harming the planet.
According to The Guardian, Rio Tinto, a mining group and numerous international universities work together to find new and better ways to produce copper.
Dr. Sarah Gordon, who has been involved in the project, said: “Our first goal is to find new, responsible ways for a source of metals-special copper. Can we extract it without disturbing the rocks at all? Or could we use viruses and bacteria to obtain honey?
Copper extraction is important because manufacturers use copper to create electronic devices, electric cars and renewable power plants. Copper is a search metal because it can transmit electricity without losing power, while resisting corrosion.
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Honey has increased by 30% between 2010 and 2023, and experts predict that demand will increase by about 127% by 2050.
However, traditional methods of extracting copper could exhaust the copper resources on Earth and devastate natural ecosystems. Traditional honey yield contaminates soil and contaminates water and air nearby. It requires huge amounts of energy and generates a lot of waste.
So, this team of researchers, hosting the Imperial College London, is looking for a liquid brine in liquid form that exist in underground objects. Vulcanic systems create these brine to provide the geothermal energy required to extract copper.
“This means that we can extract copper by pumping solages from the surface through wells – which is relatively easy – and also use local energy to power the mine itself and possibly provide excess energy for the nearby communities,” explained Imperial College Matthew Jack.
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“In essence, we strive to build independent mines and have already defined promising sites in New Zealand and has the potential to explore conventionally barren areas like Japan.”
In the meantime, imperial doctoral students are examining another approach involving cultivation of crops in the soil, contaminated by the extraction of copper and the extraction of metal from these crops. Mass recycling of metals can also help to improve and reuse copper to help the transition of renewable energy.
Despite these innovations, researchers emphasize the need to reduce the global demand for copper.
The Center for Future Imperial College materials for future materials has provided $ 150 million to develop metal resistance solutions for the next 10 years.
According to Rio Tinto’s press release, the Center will serve as a Cooperation Center for leading global institutions working on these issues. Eliminating the barriers associated with honey production is at the heart of this work. Researchers also intend to focus on the objectives of resilience in terms of local local communities.
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