Materials are a crucial component of Kentucky’s and the nation’s future economy, driving innovation across various industries. Among these materials, graphite is gaining significance, and the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) is exploring ways to make Kentucky a potential source of this valuable material.
Global Demand for Graphite
China recently announced the requirement of export permits for specific graphite products, highlighting its position as the world’s leading graphite producer and exporter. Over 90% of the world’s graphite is refined in China, making it one of the 50 critical minerals listed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). This announcement follows a similar one earlier this year regarding gallium and germanium, both essential for semiconductor manufacturing.
Graphite’s Role
Graphite is a key component in various products, from lubricants to batteries and fuel cells. As the United States shifts towards renewable energy, graphite’s importance is growing, particularly in lithium-ion batteries used in cell phones and electric vehicles (EVs). It also plays a significant role in solar, wind, and nuclear power generation.
The Current Scenario
The US has not mined graphite since the 1950s, relying on foreign sources for all its graphite needs in 2021, primarily from China, Mexico, and Canada. Graphite comes from natural flake mining and synthetic production, both dominated by Asia.
Growing Demand in the EV Market
The global demand for graphite is rising, driven mainly by the growing electric vehicle (EV) market. In 2023, China is expected to account for 92% of anode-grade graphite production globally. The US government is funding domestic graphite production to reduce dependency on imports.
The Importance of Research
The US EV market is poised for significant growth, and hundreds of thousands of tons of graphite will be needed. Research and development are crucial to identifying sustainable domestic sources of graphite.
CAER’s Expertise
The University of Kentucky’s CAER boasts one of the nation’s most comprehensive carbon materials research programs. It has been internationally recognized for its innovative work in carbon materials, including graphite, and is actively researching new sources of graphite from Kentucky waste coal.
Mission Critical to the Economy
Finding sustainable domestic sources of graphite is essential for the American economy, and research plays a vital role in achieving this goal. CAER’s expertise positions Kentucky to become a global leader in the competitive materials market.
In summary, CAER’s research efforts aim to contribute to securing a sustainable source of graphite in the United States to meet the growing demand, especially in the EV industry.
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