Critical materials, including rare earth elements (e.g. neodymium), lithium, cobalt, copper and so on, are essential for various high-tech industries such as renewable energy, electronics, and defense systems. Due to growing demand, tremendous endeavors have been made to recover critical materials from diverse sources with flotation proving to be an efficient method. In recent years, significant progress has been made in enhancing the recovery and separation of critical materials through flotation, with improvements in reagent development, process control, and equipment design resulting in superior extraction, elevated recovery rates, and more sustainable processes. Nevertheless, as critical materials are essential for numerous industries, it is important to continually develop and optimize flotation techniques to ensure a stable and sustainable supply.
This Research Topic will highlight the recent advances in utilizing critical materials and foresee promising flotation techniques. The overall aim is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of flotation processes, while minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact. Special focus will be placed on: enhancing the recovery and grade of critical materials, minimizing environmental impact, optimizing process control by machine learning, and encouraging innovation and industry growth.
The scope of this topic is multifaceted and involves a diverse range of research areas, from fundamental studies to applied research and development. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini-Review and Perspective articles on themes that include, but are not limited to:
• Identifying and optimizing flotation parameters, including reagent type and dosage, pH level, particle size, froth depth, and flotation time, among others.
• Development of novel flotation reagents that are specific to critical materials. These reagents should aim to minimize the negative impact on the environment, while enhancing the selectivity and recovery of the targeted minerals.
• The synthesis and characterization of flotation reagents is also part of the scope of investigation.
• The design and optimization of flotation equipment, including the development of digitalization, sensors, and controllers by machine learning.
Keywords:
Critical Materials, Mineral Processing, Flotation, Reagent, Machine Learning
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Critical materials, including rare earth elements (e.g. neodymium), lithium, cobalt, copper and so on, are essential for various high-tech industries such as renewable energy, electronics, and defense systems. Due to growing demand, tremendous endeavors have been made to recover critical materials from diverse sources with flotation proving to be an efficient method. In recent years, significant progress has been made in enhancing the recovery and separation of critical materials through flotation, with improvements in reagent development, process control, and equipment design resulting in superior extraction, elevated recovery rates, and more sustainable processes. Nevertheless, as critical materials are essential for numerous industries, it is important to continually develop and optimize flotation techniques to ensure a stable and sustainable supply.
This Research Topic will highlight the recent advances in utilizing critical materials and foresee promising flotation techniques. The overall aim is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of flotation processes, while minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact. Special focus will be placed on: enhancing the recovery and grade of critical materials, minimizing environmental impact, optimizing process control by machine learning, and encouraging innovation and industry growth.
The scope of this topic is multifaceted and involves a diverse range of research areas, from fundamental studies to applied research and development. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini-Review and Perspective articles on themes that include, but are not limited to:
• Identifying and optimizing flotation parameters, including reagent type and dosage, pH level, particle size, froth depth, and flotation time, among others.
• Development of novel flotation reagents that are specific to critical materials. These reagents should aim to minimize the negative impact on the environment, while enhancing the selectivity and recovery of the targeted minerals.
• The synthesis and characterization of flotation reagents is also part of the scope of investigation.
• The design and optimization of flotation equipment, including the development of digitalization, sensors, and controllers by machine learning.
Keywords:
Critical Materials, Mineral Processing, Flotation, Reagent, Machine Learning
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.