Grant: Alliance Grants

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is well-positioned to contribute to Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy. Although small in size and population, PEI has led the country by having an energy supply mix that is approximately 30% from wind and nuclear energies. This work proposes to address national gaps as outlined in the Canadian Critical Minerals strategy and potentially inform the development of a critical minerals strategy for clean technology, energy, and advanced manufacturing on PEI. The Sustainable Assets with Value for Energy and Manufacturing (SAVEM) research program focuses on midstream processes, as well as the integration of up-, mid-, and downstream management using a systems-based, circular and interdisciplinary engineering approach. Specifically, there are three research challenges to be explored: (1) the use of generative design, simulation, and modeling of novel alloy combinations, with a case study focus on the development of a novel iron-based alloy with properties potentially competitive to rare-earth elements, desirable for more-electric actuation and generation and clean technology applications; (2) the circular economy for stainless steel, focusing on reuse and recycling of recovered alloys for additive manufacturing of components for aerospace and renewable energy systems; and (3) resiliency of the value chain for critical metals, alloys, and minerals, using systems modeling coupled with the development of methods and indicators for assessing circularity, life cycle performance and end-of-life scenarios. As such, iron-alloys and nickel, cobalt, zinc, niobium, titanium, copper, will be investigated and compared with rare earth elements neodymium Nd and samarium Sm. The outcomes will provide new strategies and technology for sustainable, efficient use of critical minerals while increasing the resiliency of the industrial sectors that rely on them. Assessment of improvements gained will be the primary interaction with identified industrial partners. The team's expertise as well as its notable leadership in promoting pathways for equity-deserving individuals will ensure SAVEM's outcomes contribute to a bright, sustainable future for the Canadian critical minerals industry.