Growth of Shale Gas Stunting “Clean Coal” Developments

The development of technologies for enhancing the extraction of natural gas from shale formations (for example, the Marcellus Shale formation in the Northeastern USA), has been a hot topic from both an economic and an environmental protection standpoint. The growth in natural gas supplies, and recoverable reserves, has been credited with lowering natural gas commodity prices. However, according to a recent Forbes article, it could also be impeding the development of “clean coal” technologies.

Molycorp begins rare earth mine re-start

Shortages and high prices for rare earth compounds has been a hot topic in the news for the past several years, most recently with the ripple effects through various industries from the increasingly strict quotas on supply from China. Many of the rare earth elements are used in a variety of high-tech end use products such as magnets and battery systems, and these uses have gotten most of the attention of the press and politicians. However, the market for those rare earth elements utilized in large quantities for catalyst applications (including cerium and lanthanum, among others) have also been adversely affected by these issues.

Recently, Molycorp took a significant step forward in re-starting mining and processing operations in the United States.

Interesting Catalyst Facts

Argonne National Laboratory recently published a short article listing some interesting facts about catalysts (7 Things You May Not Know About: Catalysis). Although most, if not all, of these catalyst facts are known to those who work in the field, they may be of interest to some of your customers, family members, or even students in local schools. The favorite one in our labs has been #5: “Often, we have no idea why they work”.