Short answer
Proactively design products with material circularity in mind, considering the long-term availability and ethical sourcing of critical elements like REEs.
- Field
- Resource Management
- Source
- Digital Scholarship@UNLV (2018)
- Method
- Literature Review and Synthesis
- Evidence
- Strong effect
The availability of rare earth elements (REEs) is a critical bottleneck for modern technologies, necessitating research into new sources and recycling methods to ensure future supply security. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Digital Scholarship@UNLV. Using Literature review and synthesis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Proactively design products with material circularity in mind, considering the long-term availability and ethical sourcing of critical elements like REEs.
Rare Earth Element Scarcity Threatens Technological Advancement
The availability of rare earth elements (REEs) is a critical bottleneck for modern technologies, necessitating research into new sources and recycling methods to ensure future supply security.
Digital Scholarship@UNLV · 2018
Key Findings
- 01Rare earth elements are essential for numerous high-tech applications.
- 02Current sources are geographically concentrated, posing supply risks.
- 03Recycling of REEs from end-of-life products is technically challenging but crucial for sustainability.
- 04Further research is needed across mineralogy, extraction, and recycling to secure future supplies.
Application
Design takeaway
Proactively design products with material circularity in mind, considering the long-term availability and ethical sourcing of critical elements like REEs.
How to apply
When selecting materials for a new design project, research the supply chain and environmental impact of critical elements. Explore opportunities to reduce reliance on scarce materials or design for easier end-of-life recovery.
Project actions
- 01When choosing materials for your design project, think about where they come from and if they are hard to get.
- 02Consider how your product can be taken apart at the end of its life so materials can be reused.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a comprehensive overview of the REE issue.
- +Highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the problem (geology, economics, engineering).
Limitations
The research is a broad overview and does not provide specific technical details on extraction or recycling processes that might be relevant for a hands-on design project.
Reliability & validity
The reliability and validity of this research depend on the quality and breadth of the literature synthesized. As a review, it relies on the accuracy of the primary sources it cites.
Think critically
How might the geopolitical landscape influence the availability and cost of rare earth elements, and what design strategies could mitigate these risks?
Design Principles
"Prioritize material circularity and supply chain resilience in product design."
Designers and engineers rely on a consistent supply of materials for product development and manufacturing. Understanding the criticality of REEs highlights the need to design for material longevity, recyclability, and the exploration of alternative materials to mitigate supply chain risks.
What This Means for Your Design
Some special metals, called rare earth elements, are needed for phones and computers. We don't have many places to get them from, and it's hard to recycle them. This means we might run out, so we need to find new ways to get them or reuse them.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this research when discussing the material selection phase of your design project, particularly if your design relies on elements with known supply chain issues or environmental concerns.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The criticality of rare earth elements (REEs) presents a significant challenge for modern technological design, as highlighted by research indicating concentrated sources and difficulties in recycling (Jowitt, 2018). This underscores the importance of considering material lifecycle and supply chain resilience during the design process, potentially leading to the exploration of alternative materials or the implementation of design-for-disassembly strategies to facilitate material recovery and reduce future dependency on scarce resources.
Source
Digital Scholarship@UNLV
Introduction to a Resources Special Issue on Criticality of the Rare Earth Elements: Current and Future Sources and Recycling
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about rare earth element scarcity threatens technological advancement?
- Proactively design products with material circularity in mind, considering the long-term availability and ethical sourcing of critical elements like REEs. Evidence: Digital Scholarship@UNLV (2018).
- Why does "Rare Earth Element Scarcity Threatens Technological Advancement" matter for design?
- Designers and engineers rely on a consistent supply of materials for product development and manufacturing. Understanding the criticality of REEs highlights the need to design for material longevity, recyclability, and the exploration of alternative materials to mitigate supply chain risks.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Proactively design products with material circularity in mind, considering the long-term availability and ethical sourcing of critical elements like REEs.
- What were the main findings?
- Rare earth elements are essential for numerous high-tech applications.. Current sources are geographically concentrated, posing supply risks.. Recycling of REEs from end-of-life products is technically challenging but crucial for sustainability.. Further research is needed across mineralogy, extraction, and recycling to secure future supplies.
- What research method was used?
- Literature Review and Synthesis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Digital Scholarship@UNLV.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When selecting materials for a new design project, research the supply chain and environmental impact of critical elements. Explore opportunities to reduce reliance on scarce materials or design for easier end-of-life recovery.
- What are the limitations?
- The paper focuses on the criticality and sources of REEs; specific design solutions for recycling or substitution are not detailed.