The Crucible: April 2017

Defence spending has been big news recently. President Trump announced that he wanted to increase US defence funding to record levels, and the UK announced in last year’s budget that…

A visit to Vital Materials

There’s a known rule-breaker among materials, and a new discovery by an international team of scientists adds more evidence to back up the metal’s nonconformist reputation. According to a new…

Researchers at Duke University have developed tiny nanoparticles that help convert carbon dioxide into methane using only ultraviolet light as an energy source…

The MMTA is pleased to welcome AVAS Trading as a New Member. AVAS’s main traded commodity is Tungsten, with forms ranging from Ores and Concentrates, through Ferro-Tungsten and Chemicals (APT/AMT/YTO/BTO)…

An overview of key points from the recent REACH forum, hosted by Metal Events

The latest update from Tom Butcher

Devices that generate electricity through the thermoelectric effect – that is, the conversion of differences in temperature to an electric voltage – are showing up in everything from clothing to paint, and they…

A short history of mining in Ireland

Geologists estimate that the Earth’s core is around 5,700 K (5,427° C, 9,800° F), around the same temperature as the surface of the Sun. So, how is it that the…

Surfaces that have been coated with rare earth oxides develop water-repelling properties only after contact with air

A special type of small sulfur-rich protein, metallothioneins, have an extraordinary capability for binding heavy metals. An international team of scientists has now discovered that the marine common periwinkle, which…