کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
---|---|---|---|---|
1063088 | 1485715 | 2013 | 7 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
Two centuries ago the diet of technology (the diversity of materials utilized) consisted largely of natural materials and a few metals. A century later, the diversity in the diet had expanded to perhaps a dozen materials in common use. In contrast, today's technology employs nearly every material in the periodic table, a behavior illustrated in this paper by the material evolution of electronics, medical technology, and the jet engine. Geological deposits in a given country or region tend to have only minimal to moderate elemental diversity, however. As a result, an extensive and diverse metal trade is required if modern technology is to be sustained. Some recent industry responses to elemental scarcity and implications for corporate and governmental policy are discussed.
► Unlike a century ago, today's technology employs nearly every material in the periodic table.
► Geological deposits tend to have only minimal to moderate elemental diversity.
► Thus, an extensive and diverse metal trade is required if modern technology is to be sustained.
Journal: Resources, Conservation and Recycling - Volume 74, May 2013, Pages 1–7