Scarcity Of Raw Materials Research Articles

Роль критически важных сырьевых материалов в условиях экономической неопределенности: опыт ЕС

The demand for minerals is set to increase in the future due to the global competition, industrialization in the developing countries, digitalization of the developed economies as well as the social and economic shocks in the course of a deep transformation of the international economic order. Dependence on the critical raw materials may soon replace the dependence on oil and gas. A reliable and sustainable supply of both primary and secondary raw materials, especially of the critical raw materials for the key technologies and strategic sectors such as the renewable energy, electric mobility, digital technologies, space and defense, is a prerequisite for achieving national security and independence. The new EU Industrial Strategy addresses security and sustainable development and calls for active action on critical raw materials and creation of sector-specific raw material alliances. This EU policy pursues a strategy of diversification in providing non-energy raw materials for EU value chains and ensuring the social welfare. Diversification of supply is related to reducing the dependencies in all areas by supplying primary raw materials from the EU, by increasing the supply of secondary raw materials through efficient use of resources, and by finding alternatives to scarce raw materials. One of the priority actions was to create a list of critical raw materials at the EU level.

Flotation behavior of the most common electrode materials in lithium ion batteries

Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) are complex devices composed by different valuable and toxic materials. After use they are commonly sent to landfill, which represents a serious environment problem and wasteful due to the loss of valuable materials. At the same time these devices are highly demanded for the electronic and the electric vehicle industry. Therefore, recycling arises as a big opportunity in terms recovery of these valuable and scarce raw materials produced in specific areas of the world. For this reason, several processing technologies have been proposed to recover and recycle these materials from spent batteries. Amongst these, froth flotation technology arises as a cost-effective technology for the recovery of anodic graphite from cathode materials in spent LIBs due to the high natural hydrophobicity of graphite.Experiments have been carried out in a 0.5 L laboratory flotation cell to demonstrate the potential of flotation as the separation process for the recycling of spent LiB materials. These experiments have focused on the separation of the binary mixtures of the three most important commercial cathode materials (LCO, NCA and NMC) and graphite and therefore simulates a completely liberated graphite/lithium metal oxide system, where the effect of organic binding materials is not present. A range of compositions, frothing agents and both collector and no collector kinetic flotation data has been obtained.The flotation results gave a graphite concentrate with recoveries between 96.64% and 99.63% and grades between 78.13% and 90.88 %. Regarding the lithium metal oxides, these resulted in low recoveries in the concentrate between 9.47% and 16.57% and grades between 9.59% and 16.09%. A low degree of entrainment of oxide particles was achieved ranging between 0.16 and 0.29, depending on processing conditions and particle size and the best results were achieved with mixtures using NCA cathode material. These experimental results are important because they demonstrate the potential of flotation separation, but also the importance of liberation of the materials, prior to flotation.

PELESTARIAN RUMAH PANGGUNG (RUMAH TRADISIONAL BERBAHAN DASAR KAYU) DI DESA PENANGGUNGAN, TANGGAMUS

The traditional wooden house has become a symbol for the indigenous people of Lampung. The research objective is to explain the factors that influence the community to maintain its traditional wooden houses. This research used the qualitative approach within a case study method in Penanggungan Village, Tanggamus District, Lampung Province. By collecting data through in-depth interviews, involved observations, and documentation studies, then analyzed some factors that influence the community to maintain the stilt house. The results showed that the local community held its wooden-based stage due to various factors, especially: cultural, heritage, raw materials, community economic conditions, public knowledge, and government policies. The government needs to make local regulations to maintain the existence of the remaining stilt houses and provide subsidies to the community to maintain its sustainability. In addition, the cultivation of the types of wood that used and its types substitution needs to be encouraged to avoid the scarcity of raw materials for stilt houses.

Microbial communities and biosynthetic pathways for the production of sulfated polysaccharides in the activated sludge system

Sulfated polysaccharides (SP) are widely used as industrial additives and pharmaceutical intermediates. As SP can only be extracted from sea algae, making them scarce raw materials. Recently, SP have been detected and extracted from the waste activated sludge of a saline secondary wastewater treatment plant, suggesting that there are alternative primary producers and synthesis pathways of the SP within the biological activated sludge. This study aimed to identify the primary SP producers, the SP biosynthesis pathways as well as the SP production rates in different types of activated sludges cultivated anoxically and/or anaerobically, with and without the presence of sufficient sulfate. The results showed that alternating anaerobic/anoxic conditions in sludge effectively produced the SP by the ordinary heterotrophic organisms (OHOs). The synthesis pathways for the three most common bioactive SP viz. fucoidan, carrageen, and heparin, were identified and elucidated at both the substrate and enzymatic levels. The Western Blot analyses revealed key enzymes for the SP synthesis (e.g., GDP-L-fucose-synthetase, GDP-fucose-pyrophosphorylase, β-1,4-galactosyltransferase), when sulfate was sufficient (>170 mg S/L) under an alternating anaerobic/anoxic conditions. In contrast, the absence of sulfate suppressed the SP production during the initial step of the SP generation. The synthesis of the SP in the sulfate-reducing (anaerobic) sludge was suppressed by the enzymatic inhibition, when sulfide exceeded 160 mg S/L, due to the competition for energy between the SP synthesis and sulfide detoxification. However, in the case of the sulfide-oxidizing sludge both the organic carbon and metabolism energy deficiencies inhibited the SP production. The findings of this study expand the understandings of the SP synthesis in the activated sludge under different operating conditions, including different sulfate levels.

V. Dornröschens Erwachen im Recht der Willensmängel – ein misslungenes Scheingeschäft vor dem Reichsgericht

Abstract The Awakening of Sleeping Beauty in an Absence of Intent – a Failed Simulated Transaction in the German Imperial Supreme Court. When the Friedrich Krupp Corporation promised to supply gas to the City of Bochum in 1910, the parties of this long-term contract could not anticipate the scarcity of raw materials during the upcoming First World War. In the aftermath of the war, Krupp was not able to provide for the quality that had initially been stipulated. Nevertheless, the parties prolongated the contract. When the City of Bochum insisted in proper fulfilment, Krupp argued that the prolongation of the contract according to the original conditions had been a simulated transaction the City of Bochum could not insist on. In 1941, the German Imperial Supreme Court denied the applicability of the provisions of the German Civil Code concerning an absence of intent, holding that each and every simulated transaction to be certified within an official document must be considered fraudulent. This article reviews the court’s decision in the light of its ideological background.

AN ANALYTICAL PURVIEW OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN COTTAGE INDUSTRIES

This paper is an attempt to throw light on problems faced by women entrepreneurs in Tirunelveli city who are engaged into cottage industry. The study is entirely based on primary data collected through structured interview schedule conducted among eighty women who are running cottage industries. The finding showed that the interrelationship among general problems such as problem of finance, high cost of production, scarcity of raw materials, stiff competition, shortage of power, limited mobility and the interrelationship among specific problems such as male dominated society, lack of education, family ties, low risk bearing ability, social attitude, socio economic constraints, low need for achievement, inadequate infrastructure were the major problems encountered by the women entrepreneurs in cottage industry. The multiple correlation method was used to examine these issues.

Chemical Profiling, Spectroscopic Characterization and Biological Evaluation of a novel polyherbal formulation with natural binders- Ayurgreen Natura Pain Gel

Introduction: Herbal compositions are becoming increasingly important in today's world of raw material scarcity. Polyherbal formulations exhibit high efficacy due to the presence of active phytochemicals which may enhance their potency due to the synergetic interaction of active ingredients of different plants. Ayurgreen Natura Pain Gel is an important Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation prepared using specified plant parts of dried aloe vera and fresh aloe vera pulp, frankincense, myrrh, ferula asafetida. Methods: The phytochemistry of Ayurgreen Natura Pain Gel has been evaluated using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer and their bioactive functional groups were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Moreover, the thermal analysis was performed using differential scanning calorimetry. Further, invitro studies were used to evaluate its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancerous activities. Results: The LCMS results revealed the presence of 40 phytoconstituents. It shows the presence of Manumycin A which helps wound healing by binding it with RAS protein. The thermogram results revealed the presence of volatile ingredients, melting, and degradation temperature. The formulation showed remarkable anti-inflammatory (IC50 119.8 μg/mL) and antioxidant (IC50 200 μg/mL) activities. The formulation showed potent cytotoxic effect towards Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and Dalton’s lymphoma ascites (DLA) cell lines with IC 50 values 62 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL respectively. Discussion/Conclusions: The formulation can be considered as a potent anti-inflammatory cum anti-cancerous Natura Pain Gel with antiproliferative activity. Fascinatingly, the wild habitat contained some anticancerous phytoconstituents which might be responsible for enhanced anti-cancerous activity in mice cancer cell lines (EAC) and (DLA) cell lines.

Constraints Faced by Loom Weavers Related to Production and Marketing of Weaved Products in Bhagalpur District of Bihar

The cloth and loom were a long history since the emergence of human beings on the earth. The Hindu epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, the Vedas and the sacred books of Hindu mythology speak of the art of weaving. Loom work is proving a large-scale employment in rural and urban places and it is an ancient industry. Weaving is the traditional occupation in India as well as in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar. Even though weavers form an integral part of the Indian loom industry, there is not enough recognition of their contribution to the sector due to various production and marketing constraints. It leads to poor economic conditions which casts doubt on their social security and future aspirations. Bhagalpur district of Bihar state was selected for this study.120 respondents were selected from 3 villages based on the population of weavers in villages. The present study was conducted in the years 2021-2022.The main constraints in production and marketing are revealed by respondents as scarcity of raw materials, insufficient weaving facility, COVID- 19 lockdown, lack of cooperative support, high commission charges, less transportation etc.

Dispersion of Benthic Plumes in Deep-Sea Mining: What Lessons Can Be Learned From Dredging?

Over the past decade, deep-sea mining (DSM) has received renewed interest due to scarcity of raw materials. Deep-sea mining has been spurred by the need for critical resources to support growing populations, urbanization, high-tech applications and the development of a green energy economy. Nevertheless, an improved understanding of how mining activities will affect the deep-sea environment is required to obtain more accurate assessment of the potential environmental impact. In that regard, the sediment plumes that are generated by the mining activity have received the highest concern, as these plumes might travel for several kilometers distance from the mining activity. Various plume sources are identified, of which the most profound are those generated by the excavation and collection process of the seafloor mining tool and the discharge flow to be released from the surface operation vessel after initial dewatering of the ore. In this review, we explore the physical processes that govern plume dispersion phenomena (focusing in the main on benthic plumes), discuss the state of the art in plume dispersion analysis and highlight what lessons can be learned from shallow water applications, such as dredging, to better predict and reduce the spread and impact of deep-sea mining plumes.

Modified sol-gel synthesis of lithium ternary oxide

Lithium-ion batteries currently equip portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and laptops, and are the choice to power electric vehicles. The scarcity of raw materials in nature, however, has required the development of new technologies and the ternary lithium compound LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 has stood out as an alternative for replacing part of the cobalt in LiCoO2 by nickel and manganese, which are more abundant, reducing the electrode’s cost. The sol-gel route for synthesis of ternary electrode materials has been widely used, but it faces problems of volumetric expansion due to the decomposition of organic material during calcination. To improve the synthesis of the ternary compound, a modified sol-gel route with control of the heating kinetics in the pre-calcination step and without pH control was investigated in this study. The compound was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement, Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy, and Raman that showed the purification of the ternary phase with appropriate crystallinity for application as electrode in batteries from 700 ºC. In conclusion, ternary synthesis with rate control during heat treatment may be a useful alternative for industrial scale-up production.

Ecology and utilization of ore dressing tailings

Based on the study of ways to increase the efficiency of metal production through the use of technologies for leaching substandard ores in terms of metal content, a data bank was formed and an algorithm for controlling the processes of leaching substandard non-ferrous ores in terms of metal content was proposed. The concept of the development of technogenic deposits by leaching metals is proposed as an important direction of rational use of subsurface resources. The development of an algorithm for controlling the process of leaching non-ferrous metals from substandard raw materials is a tool for compensating losses of valuable and scarce raw materials allowed in the technological chain. Aspects of the mechanochemical technology of extracting metals to obtain an ecological and economic effect and radical hardening of the mineral and raw material base of mining have been studied.

Response of spinach plants to different doses of two commercial nanofertilizers

The use of nanofertilizers could be a potential solution to address the current challenges of agriculture (global hunger, increase of world population, highly inefficient use of fertilizer, soil nutrient deficiency and scarcity of raw materials). Most available literature focuses on the effects of some nanomaterials synthesized at lab scale and detailed information about commercial nanofertilizer is lacking. The aim of the present study was to characterize two commercial nanofertilizers (NF-A and NF-B) and evaluate the effect of their foliar application at increasing doses (recommended dose (RD), 10RD, 100RD and 500RD) on spinach plants. Both nanofertilizers differed greatly in composition, colloidal stability and morphology. Their impact on spinach leaves depended on nanofertilizer composition and dose and they did not have negative effects at the recommended dose or at 10RD. However, NF-B at the highest doses (100RD and 500RD) had major negative effects on leaves compared to NF-A and induced a reduction in the content of chlorophyll, polyphenols, flavonols and antioxidant activity, an increase in oxidative damage, and the deterioration of the cellular ultrastructure according to TEM analysis. In contrast, leaves treated with NF-A showed few changes and only at the highest dose (500RD) were some adverse effects detected. Foliar application of the two commercial nanofertilizers modified the surface composition as well as the nutrient content of the leaves, adding new elements and increasing the content of others, especially at the highest doses tested. The present study will contribute to the establishment of safe levels of nanofertilizer exposure and provides a starting point for studies on the mechanisms involved in nanoparticle uptake by leaves.

China Transport Supply Chain Risk Management Challenges Face to COVID-19 Analysis

The international COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of 2019 has had a huge influencing factor on lot of global and local manufacturing transportation chains, and triggered a continuous risks of logistics chains breakage by the way the COVID-18 pandemic has revealed the weakness of intercontinental supply chains arising from initial raw material scarcity, mass production and transportation disruption, and human being isolation. Among them, the short-term and medium-term and long-term impacts include encouraging companies to improve the flexibility of supply chains by constructing supply chains digital platforms, supply chains diversification systems and supply chains early warning system in the short, medium and long term, the global supply chains layout will change from internationalization to regionalization, and some high-end manufacturing industries will have a backflow trends. The risks associated with global supply chains management have created a discourse among practitioners and academics. Supply chains risk management is an integral function of the supply chains networks. Supply chains risks management have increasingly becoming a more popular research area recently, when COVID-18 appeared regionally, internationally and globally. In the article there are presented different calculation equations beginning from risk assessment during transportation and finishing by risk modeling, there are important factors influencing logistics and mainly supply chains when different types of risks appeared during COVID-22 transportation time.

Economic Aspects for Recycling of Used Lithium-Ion Batteries from Electric Vehicles

Worldwide, there has been an exponential growth in the production and application of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by the energy transition and the electric vehicle market. The scarcity of raw materials and the circular economy strategy of LIBs encourage the need to reuse components, recycle, and give second life to used batteries. However, one of the obstacles is the insufficient volume of LIBs for recycling, which prevents the economic viability of this industrial process. Thus, this article mainly focuses on the economic aspects of the recycling of LIBs, presenting and analyzing: (i) the advantages and disadvantages of recycling and (ii) a survey of factors that influence the cost and economic feasibility of disposing of batteries. The importance of regulations, the market, and business models regarding the recycling of LIBs in a few countries are also discussed. Finally, a business model is created for recycling LIBs in Brazil. The main factors that influence the economic feasibility of this process are indicated, such as government incentives through regulation, exemption from fees and taxes, and the adequacy of battery technology. Encouraging recycling through tax exemptions or reductions can make the process more economically viable, in addition to contributing to the circular economy. Another essential factor to be considered is the creation of joint ventures, which can facilitate the entire chain of the circular economy, including logistics, transport, and disposal of batteries.

Managing the New Wave of Migration With Biometric Identification

Due to the geopolitical situation, the scarcity of raw materials, the foreign policy actions of the major powers, the excessive use of resources worldwide and the struggle for them, as well as the inequalities caused by the demographic explosion of developing countries, europe and thus Hungary from the wider Middle East region have been under considerable migratory pressure for a long time, and this has increased further in 2021 on the basis of statistical data. (Frontex). Europe is trying to provide more answers to the problem. It is trying to keep refugees as far away as possible by developing and improving living conditions in the countries where migration flows originate, as well as by establishing migration zones beyond the EU’s borders and financing them, because these problems need to start to be addressed and solved at local level. Despite all this, refugees are constantly reaching Europe, and unfortunately among them are not only those who fear for their lives and lose everything, fleeing war, but also economic migrants who join the wave of migration and are probably members of organisations that pose a threat to European values and public security. (Kotzur, Moya, Sözen, Romano 2020). By building physical border closures, several EU countries have closed certain migration routes, but this has not eliminated the problem, only the routes have been reorthled. The registration and clear identification of immigrants in the attempt to cross the border and their identification within the EU pose a number of unresolved problems for the authorities. (Beňuška, T., Nečas, 2021). We are reviewing and comparing the methods of identification used in border policing with modern biometric identification methods in order to draw attention to the fact that technology has long been ready to be used to protect our security in the service of European values and security. But at the same time, a significant deterrent is the difficult transition from entrenched solutions to the fear of misuse of biometric data. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to consider trade-offs in use and technology and to think more effectively together at EU level as a common solution on the regulatory side. (EU Regulation 399/2016).

Metallic Copper (Cu[0]) Obtained from Cu2+-Rich Acidic Mine Waters by Two Different Reduction Methods: Crystallographic and Geochemical Aspects

The recovery of valuable metals from different types of wastes has become of prime strategic interest given the scarcity of primary critical raw materials at international scale. Implementation of new methods or refinement of classical techniques with modern technological advances is, therefore, an active research field. Mine wastes are of special interest because their high metal concentrations make them environmentally harmful and economically profitable at the same time. In this study, we evaluated two different methods of Cu recovery from extremely acidic mine waters seeping from wastes and abandoned mines in SW Spain. Through a series of different batch experiments, we compared the method efficiency and crystallographic properties of elemental copper (Cu[0]) obtained by reduction of Cu2+ ions by (1) chemical reduction using ascorbic acid at different environmental conditions of pH (1.50–3.95), temperature (25–80 °C) and ascorbic acid concentration (10 mM to 0.1 M), and (2) classical cementation method with scrap iron at pH 1.50 and 25 °C. Our study demonstrates that the precipitation of Cu[0] can take place at pH 3.95 and low AA concentrations (0.1 M), resulting in large (µm-scale), perfectly developed crystals of copper with pseudoprismatic to acicular habit after 24 h of aging, likely through formation of a transient compound consisting in Cu2+-ascorbate and/or cuprite (Cu2O) nanocolloids. Reduction experiments at higher AA concentrations (0.1 M) showed faster precipitation kinetics and resulted in high-purity (>98%) copper suspensions formed by subrounded nanoparticles. The AA method, however, yielded very low recovery rates (15–25%) because of the low pH values considered. The cementation method, which produced tree-like aggregates formed by sub-micron crystals arranged in different directions, proved to be much more efficient (>98% recovery) and cost-effective.

China Transport Supply Chain Risk Management Challenges Face to Covid-19 Analysis

The international COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of 2019 has had a huge influencing factor on lot of global and local manufacturing transportation chains, and triggered a continuous risks of logistics chains breakage by the way the COVID-18 pandemic has revealed the weakness of intercontinental supply chains arising from initial raw material scarcity, mass production and transportation disruption, and human being isolation. Among them, the short-term and medium-term and long-term impacts include encouraging companies to improve the flexibility of supply chains by constructing supply chains digital platforms, supply chains diversification systems and supply chains early warning system in the short, medium and long term, the global supply chains layout will change from internationalization to regionalization, and some high-end manufacturing industries will have a backflow trends. The risks associated with global supply chains management have created a discourse among practitioners and academics. Supply chains risk management is an integral function of the supply chains networks. Supply chains risks management have increasingly becoming a more popular research area recently, when COVID-18 appeared regionally, internationally and globally. In the article there are presented different calculation equations beginning from risk assessment during transportation and finishing by risk modeling, there are important factors influencing logistics and mainly supply chains when different types of risks appeared during COVID-22 transportation time.

Exploring COVID-19 Challenges and Coping Mechanisms for SMEs in the South African Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Globally, COVID-19 has caused significant damage, including business closures and changes in how entrepreneurial activities are performed. The pandemic has spawned a slew of publications with the majority thereof being editorials, commentaries, and concept notes. This implies a lack of empirical evidence on the pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to explore the COVID-19 challenges and coping mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Data for the study were collected from 15 SME owners through semi-structured interviews using a generic qualitative research method. The findings revealed that the SME COVID-19 challenges included lockdown restrictions, customer loss, lack of government support, and scarcity of raw materials. The coping mechanisms used by the SMEs were having a positive entrepreneurial mindset followed by reduced service prices and the retrenchments of employees. Theoretically, the study contributes to the scarce empirical evidence on COVID-19 challenges and coping mechanisms for SMEs in the South African context; to the available literature in the entrepreneurial ecosystem context and to the world at large. Practically, it is recommended that during crises, businesses should network with one another to remain operational and, owing to e-commerce, they are encouraged to have an online presence.

Circular economy adoption challenges in medical waste management for sustainable development: An empirical study

AbstractIn recent years, many countries are promoting circular economy (CE) practices in the manufacturing and service sectors. Medical waste management has traditionally relied upon a linear economy for many years and requires transformation to CE. The reason for transitioning towards CE can be attributed to various ecological and economic drawbacks of the linear economy. Excessive production and dumping of wastes are polluting our environment. Moreover, scarcity of raw materials and growing demand increases the price of goods, eventually affecting global markets. However, only a few studies deliberate the challenges while implementing CE in the medical waste industry. This paper presents the potential challenges for the implementation of CE in medical waste management. The challenges were determined by an extensive literature review. A set of 85 responses was collected from industry experts through a questionnaire survey. Using exploratory factor analysis, the challenges were clubbed into six groups. A fuzzy theory‐based decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory technique was used to prioritise and construct interrelationships among the main challenges. It is found that the most significant challenge is reprocessing difficulty, which is followed by a lack of transportation and infrastructure. This research covers the major challenges in adopting the CE across medical waste management and will benefit organisations in adopting CE practices for sustainable development. In addition, the limitations and future scope of the study are discussed. This study can further be improved by addressing the challenges while implementing the solutions mentioned in this study.

Development of eco-ceramic wall tiles with bio-CaCO3 from eggshells waste

Waste valorization is of utmost importance due to the scarcity of natural raw materials. In Europe, up to 150 kton/y of eggshells waste are generated and, usually, landfilling is the only option. This work aims to develop eco-ceramic wall tiles using bio-calcium carbonate from eggshells waste as a raw material. Several pastes were prepared by replacing limestone, the natural raw material used nowadays, with eggshell waste (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 wt%). Through specimens’ characterization, the total substitution by bio-calcium carbonate with the same granulometry leads to an increase, of 19%, in the flexural strength, without affecting the other properties (linear thermal coefficient, weight loss, firing shrinkage, water absorption, density, colour coordinates), and all values are within industrial limits. Therefore, this work proved that limestone can be totally substituted by eggshell waste. The developed eco-ceramic wall tiles consume less natural raw materials and promote a decrease in the landfilled wastes quantity.