Critical raw materials are everywhere: in solar panels, electricity cables, and even in your iPhone. It’s no surprise, then, that they’ve captured the imagination of many TU Delft researchers. The problem is that while we need vast quantities of these materials to fuel the energy transition, digital transition, aerospace, urban development and military technology, we have to depend on other, distant countries.
TU Delft's mission is to contribute to Europe’s autonomy and future. On top of that, humankind has already crossed various planetary boundaries, and we want our research to contribute to keeping the Earth habitable. That’s why we’re also looking into reuse and ways to improve the recycling of critical raw materials, as well as other forms of circularity. Finally, we’re also working on products that last longer or can be made with fewer critical raw materials, if they contain them at all. Take batteries based on sodium instead of lithium, for example. The university also aims to contribute to responsible mining in Europe.
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Dave Boomkens
d.j.boomkens@tudelft.nl
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Climate & Energy | We’re preparing for and trying to understand the risks of climate change while working to expedite the energy transition and innovations to prevent the situation from worsening in the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world. Just as importantly, TU Delft is educating the world’s next generation of engineers.
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