Nature Podcast

Toxic red mud could be turned into 'green' steel

Jan 24, 2024

Researchers demonstrate how red mud can be reused to make iron, reducing carbon emissions in steel production. Highlights: next-generation geothermal power plants, an origami fabric robot, a study on long COVID, updates on Osiris Rex sample container, and Japan's precise moon landing.

24:30

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Quick takeaways

Red mud, a toxic by-product of aluminum production, can be reused to make iron for steel production, potentially reducing carbon emissions.

A predictive tool analyzing blood protein levels shows promise in identifying individuals at risk of developing long COVID.

Deep dives

Using Red Mud to Make Green Steel

Researchers have found that red mud, a waste product of aluminum production, could be used to extract iron and produce green steel. Red mud, which is rich in iron oxide, can be processed in an electric arc furnace using hydrogen gas. The superheated hydrogen plasma binds to the oxygen in the iron oxide, extracting the iron and releasing steam instead of carbon dioxide. This process shows promise in reducing the carbon emissions associated with steel production and finding a productive use for red mud, which is currently a major environmental risk.

Introduction

3min

Extracting Iron from Red Mud for Green Steel Production

8min

New Generation Geothermal Systems, Origami Snake Robot, and Long Covid Study

5min

Predicting long COVID, Osiris Rex sample container update, and Japan's moon landing

5min

The Moon Sniper: Investigating the Lunar Surface

5min

In this episode:

0:46 Turning a toxic by-product into iron

Red mud is a toxic by-product of aluminium manufacture, and millions of tonnes of it is produced each year. The majority ends up in landfills, pumped into vast lakes or stored in dried mounds, posing a serious environmental risk. This week, researchers demonstrate how red mud can be reused to make iron, a vital component in the production of steel. As their method uses hydrogen plasma rather than fossil fuels, they suggest it could be a way to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the steelmaking industry.

Research article: Jovičević-Klug et al.

News and Views: Iron extracted from hazardous waste of aluminium production

09:36 Research Highlights

The economics of next-generation geothermal power plants, and the folded-fabric robot that crawls like a snake.

Research Highlight: Flexible geothermal power makes it easier to harness Earth’s inner heat

Research Highlight: Origami fabric robot slithers like a snake

20:53 Briefing Chat

A computational model that predicts a person's likelihood of developing long COVID, NASA finally crack open the lid of OSIRIS-REx’s sample container, and how the ‘Moon Sniper’ craft pulled off the most precise lunar landing ever.

Nature News: Long-COVID signatures identified in huge analysis of blood protein

Johnson Space Centre: NASA’S OSIRIS-REx Curation Team Reveals Remaining Asteroid Sample

Nature News: Japan’s successful Moon landing was the most precise ever

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