Laser Spectroscopy and Imaging for Measurement of Critical Minerals

Critical minerals are in increasingly high demand due to their prevalence and necessity in modern technological applications. Critical minerals include but not limited to species like rare earth elements (REEs), Lithium, Cobalt, Graphite, Nickel, etc. They have significant economic and scientific value due to their specific chemical, optical, and magnetic properties, which are vital for modern high-tech products, and often explored through fundamental light-matter interactions. Due to the limited global supply, complex extraction processes, and geo-political interest, critical metals have high supply chain vulnerability. Though common in distribution, these elements are typically only available as disperse minor constituents in geological sources, thus their mining and extraction is challenging.The goal of the Research Topic is to show movement toward more rapid, lower cost, and more robust measurement and quantification techniques for critical minerals in natural environments, mining streams, refinements operations, and/or recycling operations, by leveraging advanced optical systems and high-precision measurement techniques. Prospecting and identification methods for the field, whether in a mining, remediation, or recycling operation would help processors to better make better informed decisions in regard to processing strategies. Advancement of new techniques that could help inform decisions more quickly, as opposed to some traditional methods would help optimize production and streamline some separations and beneficiation operations. Rapid, online measurement modalities with reduced complexity and reduction in reliance on laboratory based scientific infrastructure, potentially utilizing robust optoelectronic devices and free-space optics, are a must for reducing costs and time to market in the future. Contributions that establish optical calibration strategies, metrological standards, and uncertainty quantification for fieldable photonic instruments are encouraged.The scope of the publication is to bring together the latest in emerging laser spectroscopy and imaging technologies, specifically within the domain of optics and photonics, for identifying and measuring critical minerals in a variety of forms for eventual use in the various technological markets. Critical minerals can be found in multiple states and forms in nature and/or recycling streams. The idea is to highlight novel or cutting edge techniques that can be tailored to the types of environments and minerals to reduce cost and analysis time for mining operations as well as separations/beneficiation and eventual market suppliers. Such techniques might include innovations in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), nonlinear optics, advanced computational imaging, LIDAR, or integrated photonics. We particularly welcome submissions that explore innovative applications and advancements of LIBS, including its fusion and integration with other optical and photonic techniques, to address the challenges of critical mineral analysis. Traditional techniques that are used for these types of analysis typically require highly controlled laboratory space with significant infrastructure and costly equipment. Although traditional measurement techniques are robust and precise they are typically not amenable for harsh environments such as mines, liquid subsurface environments, or areas with limited scientific infrastructure. This research topic particularly welcomes fundamental scientific advances and novel photonic device developments that push the boundaries of understanding light and its interaction with matter for environmental sensing. Topic editors: Dustin McIntyre, Zhe Wang, Madhavi Martin, Pavel Pořízka, Steven Rehse, Giorgio S Senesi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/74436/laser-spectroscopy-and-imaging-for-measurement-of-critical-minerals