Raw Materials: From Earth to Consumer (and back)

Abstract

Each year, we extract and process a staggering amount of resources from the Earth and biosphere to cover our needs and appetite for housing, energy, transport, nutrition, technology and consumer goods. In this course, we investigate the material cycles primarily from a technical and scientific perspective (geoscience & biosphere, process engineering, material science).

Objective

At the end of the course, the students should have a qualitative and quantitative understanding of where most of the materials around them come from, how they were processed, how they got to where they are used, and what happens to them after use. The students should be able to: - Answer the question where the world's raw materials come from within the earth and biosphere. - For the most important elements, describe where the major deposits are located and in which geological setting. - Explain how these resources are mined and how the commodities are extracted from the ore. - Estimate how much material we consume globally in terms of volume and value. - Analyse why certain materials suddenly become critical and expensive. - Evaluate whether there are alternatives to digging things up from the ground and plan (or decide) with recycling and sustainability in mind. - Independently research a specific raw material and compile a summary of its cycle and value chain.

Content

The earth from a materials' perspective Coal, oil and gas – not just energy, but a materials resource Phosphor and nitrogen – how we feed 8 billion people Biological resources Sand, gravel and limestone – how we build infrastructure Copper keeps the light on Iron versus Aluminum Noble metals – small volume, big business Rare earth elements – when demand and supply do not match Lithium gold rush Radioactivity Student presentations on selected topics Raw materials – how geopolitics, industry, and activists shape policy Gemstones & curiosities

Resources