A century-long legal and historical analysis shows that critical minerals are defined not only by scarcity but by shifting claims about security, trade, industrial power, and geopolitical control. The paper argues that today’s critical minerals rush is less a simple climate-transition story than a contest over US hegemony, extractive markets, supply chains, and the future of international cooperation.
By Akshatha Chandrashekar
24 Jun 2026
The review finds that biodegradable plastics could help reduce persistent plastic pollution, but only if paired with lower plastic use, better recycling, clear certification, and proper disposal infrastructure. It highlights major barriers, including high costs, inconsistent real-world degradation, environmental trade-offs, and limited waste-management systems.
By Dr. Noopur Jain
24 Jun 2026
In a constantly growing global medical device market, marked by increasingly strict regulation and rising demands in patient safety, the certification and validation of medical devices has become a critical requirement for market access.
Quantum Computing Inc., a quantum optics and integrated photonics technology company, today announced the completion of acquiring NHanced Semiconductors, Inc. ("NHanced"), for a combination of cash and QCi stock valued at $73.1 million, subject to customary adjustments, and up to an additional $72.0 million if certain performance targets are achieved (the "Transaction").
For more than 30 years, a record in science held firm: minus 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers developed a voltage-directed method to synthesize alginate-based ionic nanogels inside solid-state nanopores for salinity-gradient energy harvesting. The system achieved a pore-area-normalized osmotic power density of 213 kW/m², while multipore arrays showed promise for scalable blue-energy membranes.
By Muhammad Osama
23 Jun 2026
This paper argues that the net-zero transition will require major new investment in energy transition minerals, but supply will remain constrained by financing gaps, geopolitical concentration, demand uncertainty, and ESG risks. It calls for responsible mining, sustainable finance, green premiums, and circular economy strategies to secure mineral supplies while reducing environmental and social harm.
By Muhammad Osama
23 Jun 2026
Today, Element Six (E6) and Orbray, both leaders in advanced materials, announced the next phase of their partnership, building on a joint vision to deliver wafer-scale single crystal diamond (WSC™) for next-generation applications.
University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers have demonstrated a possible new avenue for developing flame-retardant and generally low-conductivity (low heat transfer) plastics that retain the benefits of being strong and flexible by limiting the accessibility of heat-carrying vibrational channels of the material.
A WREC 2026 conference paper proposes a structured database to identify and assess critical mineral tailings for low-carbon concrete production using geopolymer cement. By linking tailings chemistry, mineralogy, location, logistics, and performance data, the framework could help turn mining residues into circular construction resources.
By Akshatha Chandrashekar
22 Jun 2026
Uncountable, a software company that develops AI-powered platforms for end-to-end product development, today announced the launch of Bodie, a new AI assistant integrated into Uncountable’s R&D data platform.
CRAIC Technologies, the world’s leading provider of UV-visible-NIR microspectrophotometers, announces the 508 PV™ Microscope Spectrophotometer — a powerful, cost-effective solution that breathes new life into existing optical microscopes and probe stations by adding state-of-the-art spectroscopy and digital color imaging capabilities.
Scientists have revolutionized the way metals are made by using lower and slower heating of alloys to control how atoms self-organize during material manufacturing.
We are thrilled to announce that the new standard test method ASTM D8606 has been officially confirmed and published by ASTM International.
International concern over the presence of endocrine disruptors (EDs), especially Bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives, has reached unprecedented levels.