Still Bright is a startup focused on producing copper using a less polluting approach compared to traditional smelting methods. Their technique involves utilizing water-based reactions, inspired by vanadium flow batteries, to purify copper while minimizing harmful emissions. This process not only aims to meet the increasing global demand for copper, which is projected to grow by 40% by 2040, but also addresses the environmental concerns associated with traditional smelting.
Currently, traditional methods involve smelting that can emit sulfur-containing gases and requires high temperatures, causing significant pollution. In contrast, Still Bright’s method, which can operate at ambient temperatures, produces hydrogen sulfide gas that can be captured and repurposed. The startup is in the testing phase with a pilot facility planned to begin producing copper on an industrial scale by 2027 or 2028, pending successful scale-up of the technology. With $18.7 million raised in seed funding, the company hopes to entice the mining industry to adopt its cleaner approach in the face of a looming copper supply crisis.
👉 Pročitaj original: MIT Technology Review – AI
