Latest news with #rareEarthMinerals
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Scientists make key breakthrough that could solve major issue with EV batteries: 'The idea is to keep it simple'
Czech researchers have developed a new method for recycling rare earth minerals from electric vehicle batteries using just water and basic laboratory conditions, according to a recent report from Radio Prague International. The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry focused its research on neodymium magnets, the strongest permanent magnets known to man. These powerful components drive EVs, smartphones, and wind turbines — but their production creates massive environmental challenges. Traditional mining and refining processes require hundreds of reactors, generate radioactive waste, and produce enormous amounts of acids and toxic byproducts. "The idea is to keep it simple, something that doesn't require extremely difficult conditions that would be hard to reproduce on an industrial scale," IOCB researcher Kelsea Jones explained, per Radio Prague International. The team's method uses water as a solvent and operates at room temperature, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals or extreme conditions. The process employs chelating agents, or organic molecules that bond with metal ions. Scientists add these agents to dissolved magnets, creating compounds with individual rare earth elements that can then be filtered by weight. The team processed magnets through several separation cycles and obtained neodymium with 99.7% purity, more than enough to produce new magnets. Reusing battery materials will reduce the risk of toxins leaching into soil and groundwater, and it will decrease resource depletion — a problem that often creates unsafe mining operations. EVs already help to improve air quality in our cities and reduce pollution compared to gas-powered cars, and more accessible battery recycling could help to accelerate EV adoption by making them more cost-effective. The Czech researchers have secured patents for their EV battery recycling method and are seeking commercial partners to bring this technology to market. Their breakthrough is a great example of the innovation needed to build a cleaner, more sustainable future — one that benefits both people and the planet. For those looking to make their next car an EV, this new recycling technology could also mean that even more affordable options are ahead. Should America invest more in EV battery tech? Absolutely No way Only if it brings down prices Only if it helps us compete with China Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Who's Attending the Trump-Putin Meeting in Alaska
President Donald Trump and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia are each bringing delegations to their meeting Friday in Alaska, including several economic affairs officials. Their inclusion, along with defense, military and diplomatic officials, was a sign that Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin would speak about more than the war in Ukraine. Mr. Putin could be interested in discussing commercial opportunities, tapping into Mr. Trump's instincts as a real estate developer. He also may push to have Western sanctions eased. Another topic that could be on the table is U.S. access to rare earth minerals and other Russian assets, which U.S. and Russian officials have previously discussed. On Thursday, Mr. Trump said ending the war was his focus and played down suggestions that he would discuss rare earths with Mr. Putin, saying, 'I'm trying to save lives.' Here's a look at who's attending: Sergey V. Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister for more than two decades, in which time he has managed the country's turn from a pro-European course to open conflict with the West. Mr. Lavrov was seen in Anchorage on Thursday wearing a sweatshirt bearing what appeared to be the letters 'CCCP' — the Russian abbreviation for the Soviet Union — a possibly provocative choice, given that Ukraine was one of the Soviet republics. Yuri V. Ushakov, a trusted foreign policy aide to Mr. Putin who was Russia's ambassador to Washington from 1999 to 2008. Andrei R. Belousov, who was appointed defense minister in May 2024 to revamp the country's ailing war machine. Anton G. Siluanov, Russia's long-serving finance minister. He is responsible for drafting the country's budget, a third of which is spent on the military. Kirill А. Dmitriev, Mr. Putin's special envoy on foreign investment and economic cooperation, who has emerged as the Kremlin's point man for U.S. relations. Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, who once criticized Mr. Putin as 'bloodthirsty' and 'a butcher.' Mr. Rubio's tone has at times been more conciliatory since he joined the Trump administration, though he has also mirrored his boss in expressing frustration with Russia over lack of process in peace talks with Ukraine. Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary, was the first cabinet official to visit Ukraine in Mr. Trump's second term. That laid the groundwork for an agreement in which Ukraine ceded some mineral rights to the United States, although details of the deal remain unclear. Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, has been critical of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, and has said that Mr. Zelensky's demands for 'reparations,' security guarantees and the return lands seized by Russia went 'way too far.' John Ratcliffe, the C.I.A. director, was involved in the decision to temporarily pause U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine in March, an apparent effort to push Mr. Zelensky to the negotiating table. Steve Witkoff, Mr. Trump's special envoy for peace missions and a longtime personal friend of the president, has held several meetings this year with Mr. Putin. He has been granted rare access to the Russian leader, who has met with few Western officials since he invaded Ukraine. Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, has argued against U.S. military intervention around the globe. He has said that there is no way Ukraine would soon be invited to join NATO, and has called a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders as part of a peace deal 'an unrealistic objective.' Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said he views Russia as one of America's main adversaries. He has kept a low profile in the job, but has vowed to give Mr. Trump and Mr. Hegseth his best military advice and to to 'speak truth to power.'
Bloomberg
05-08-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Some Reshoring Goals Could Take Decades: Caldwell
Didi Caldwell, president and CEO of Global Location Strategies, says some reshoring efforts could take decades, emphasizing that the United States remains closely tied to China on rare earth minerals. She speaks with Romaine Bostick and Sonali Basak on 'The Close.' (Source: Bloomberg)
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Zelenskyy appoints a new prime minister for a war-weary nation
KYIV, Ukraine — Fresh off securing a plan to receive more U.S. weaponry, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed a new prime minister -- the key negotiator of his country's deal with the U.S. to partner on the development of rare earth minerals. By naming Yulia Svyrydenko, the former economy minister, to become the country's first new head of government since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Zelenskyy on Thursday elevated a loyal politician who has experience in diplomacy with the U.S. and other Western nations. In addition to negotiating the U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreement, the 39-year-old Svyrydenko has represented Ukraine in a wide range of high-level talks with Western partners, including on issues of defense and economic recovery and reconstruction. In 2022, she negotiated with other countries to impose sanctions on Russia. The outgoing prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, will become defense minister at a time when Ukraine is looking to ramp up domestic weapons production, and as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to bring an end to the war. 'War leaves no room for delay,' Svyrydenko said on X after the parliament voted to approved her promotion. 'We must act swiftly and decisively. Our priorities for the first six months are clear: reliable supply for the army, expansion of domestic weapons production, and boosting the technological strength of our defense forces.' Svyrydenko and Shmyhal are among a wider group of officials taking on new leadership roles as Zelenskyy aims to reenergize a war-weary nation. But to Ukrainians, the reshuffling of the Cabinet is not seen as a major shift in direction for Zelenskyy, who will still be mostly relying on the same experienced officials, as opposed to introducing new faces to his leadership team. Earlier this week, Trump endorsed a plan to have European allies buy billions of dollars of U.S. military equipment -- including air-defense systems -- that can be transferred to Ukraine, which has come under intense Russian attacks. 'We all want peace as soon as possible,' Zelenskyy said Thursday in a speech to Ukraine's parliament. 'At the same time, we all see how difficult it is to maintain sufficient global support, and how many other wars and crises are flaring up around the world, truly scattering global efforts. Therefore, Ukraine needs more of its own strength.' In announcing the weapons plan on Monday, Trump also made an ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, promising to impose stiff tariffs on countries that purchase its oil if he doesn't agree to a ceasefire within 50 days. Shmyhal, who announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday, was the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history, serving since March 2020. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov as defense minster. Although Umerov sought to push reforms, critics said the ministry under his command was plagued by mismanagement. Also on Thursday, Zelenskyy nominated Olga Stefanishyna to become Ukraine's next ambassador to the United States. In the meantime, he appointed Stefanishyna, previously the minister for European integration, as the special representative for the development of cooperation with the United States. Ties between Ukraine and the U.S. have been uneasy since Trump returned to the White House in January, and Zelenskyy had previously said he intended to replace Oksana Markarova as Ukrainian ambassador in the U.S. Hanna Arhirova, The Associated Press
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trade talks probably won't be done by Trump's July 9 deadline, Treasury Secretary Bessent says
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday said he thinks trade negotiations could be 'wrapped up' by Labor Day, providing a more relaxed framework for inking deals than the previously prescribed July 9 deadline. Bessent said in an interview on Fox Business that the United States has 18 'important trading partners' that it is seeking to make deals with. 'If we can ink 10 or 12 of the important 18 … then I think we could have trade wrapped up by Labor Day,' Bessent said. The Trump administration so far has announced only a trade deal with the United Kingdom and a truce in its trade war with China. 'With all things, they get done in the end. You have to put on a deadline,' Bessent said. 'As you and I know, nothing gets done in Washington well in advance.' Bessent also said that he expects rare earth minerals from China to start to 'flow' back into the United States. China earlier on Friday announced it would approve the export of rare earth minerals to the United States. 'They were not flowing as fast as previously agreed,' Bessent said. 'President Trump and President Xi had a phone call, and then our teams met in London, ironed this out, and I am confident now that as we agreed, the magnets will flow.' Representatives from Washington and Beijing met in Geneva to discuss trade in May and then met again in London to announce a framework for implementing the trade truce. Bessent said trade negotiations with China and the United Kingdom are 'behind us for now.' Bessent said if countries don't get a deal done, President Donald Trump is open to reverting back to April 2 massive 'reciprocal' tariff levels. Wall Street and Capitol Hill have been fixated on when more trade deals might be announced, with the supposed July 9 deadline approaching. Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen.
