Modern technology is
too reliant on rare materials whose scarcity could drastically set back
innovation, a new report has warned.
It suggested that as more and more devices are
manufactured, supplies of key elements, particularly metals, will be strained.
Potential substitute materials are either
inadequate or non-existent, researchers said.
One scientist called the findings "an
important wake-up call".
Andrea Sella, of University College London - who
was unconnected to the study - told website The Conversation that it was the
first time the issue had been explored in such detail.
Researchers at Yale University, led by Prof
Thomas Graedel, analyzed the use of 62 metals or metalloids commonly found in
popular technology, such as smartphones.
It found that none of the 62 had alternatives
that performed equally well. Twelve had no alternative, Prof Graedal found.
The scope for serious disruption because of
material shortages is increasingly troubling technology companies.
Rare materials are expensive to extract, and
their processing comes with considerable environmental concerns.
In April 2012, the BBC's Ian Hardy discovered
the effect that mass flooding in Thailand had on the technology supply chain
Political factors also play a part: in 2010,
China restricted the export of some materials, known as rare earth elements.
It said this was because of environmental
issues, but some observers noted that the restrictions had two distinct effects
- the price of the elements increased fivefold, and Chinese companies were
simultaneously given the upper hand in using the precious materials at lower
cost.
Natural disasters bring another unpredictable
risk.
In 2011, serious flooding in Thailand disrupted
global supply chains as the country is a hub for hardware manufacture.
Shortages of storage devices extended well into
2012, according to research company IHS iSuppli, with hard-drive supplies the
hardest hit.
No comments:
Post a Comment