Endangered elements: What is the future for modern technology?
From iPods to wind turbines, much of modern day technology contains components made from rare earth elements, many of which are becoming increasingly difficult to source.
University of Exeter's Associate Professor in Applied Mineralogy, Professor Frances Wall discusses the issue at the The Times Cheltenham Science Festival
On a panel at the Times Cheltenham Science Festival; Chemist Andrea Sella, mineral economist Malin Stein and geologist Frances Wall ask whether we should be mining these precious resources to extinction to keep up with the latest technology, or whether the laws of supply and demand will push the prices up so high that we will be forced to find alternatives.
The Times Cheltenham Science Festival is a six-day celebration of science, engineering and the arts. A rare opportunity for the public to come face-to-face with around 300 of the world's leading scientists and thinkers, the festival annually sells in excess of 28,000 tickets whilst the free programme – including the interactive Discover Zone exhibition and family fun days - attract over 10,000 visitors. The six day festival promises a mix of serious debate, live experiments and surprising discoveries all based at Cheltenham Town Hall.
University of Exeter's Professor Frances Wall, Head of Camborne School of Mines & Associate Professor in Applied Mineralogy, said "The rare earth elements have hit the headlines recently because they are needed in many essential technologies ranging from wind turbines, to cars, computers, low energy lighting and mobile phones. Ninety seven per cent of the World’s supply of these elements has been coming from China but now China has cut export quotas. Prices have gone up by 35 times in a year. Most people have never even heard of these strange elements but their geology has been a research interest of mine for many years. The Cheltenham Science Festival provides an ideal forum to discuss with the public about where the future resources of rare earths will come from and to explain why it takes so long to start up new mines."
On Tuesday 7 June Professor Frances Wall is joined by Andrea Sella (Materials and Inorganic Chemistry, UCL) and Malin Stein (Sales Manager and mineral analyst at Raw Materials Group, RMG) on the "Endangered elements" panel chaired by Jonathan Porrit.
Just some of the stellar scientists completing the line-up are everyone's favourite physicist Brian Cox, scientific superstar Robert Winston, anatomist and star of Coast Alice Roberts, comedian Robin Ince and writer and comedian Mark Steel in a one-off Cheltenham exclusive. The whole programme is overseen by three Guest Directors – including the first ever children's Guest Director. Graphic novelist and influential writer Alan Moore, child psychologist and broadcaster Tanya Byron, and family friendly Gastronut Stefan Gates will lead the celebrations with their inspiring passion for their very different areas of expertise.
Further information and booking information for the event can be found on the Cheltenham Science Festival, Endangered Elements web page.
Date: 6 June 2011
