Ryan Alimento
@ryanalimento.bsky.social
Climate & energy analyst at the Breakthrough Institute
Industrial decarb, clean tech supply chains, energy for development
Chemical/energy engineer
Science is cool!!
Industrial decarb, clean tech supply chains, energy for development
Chemical/energy engineer
Science is cool!!
Georgia PSC elections show voters ARE responding to high electric bills
Dems Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard beat incumbent Republicans Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson
Utilities funded 87% of F. Johnson's & 61% Echols' campaigns
They spent 12x as much as A. Johnson and Hubbard
Dems Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard beat incumbent Republicans Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson
Utilities funded 87% of F. Johnson's & 61% Echols' campaigns
They spent 12x as much as A. Johnson and Hubbard
November 7, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Georgia PSC elections show voters ARE responding to high electric bills
Dems Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard beat incumbent Republicans Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson
Utilities funded 87% of F. Johnson's & 61% Echols' campaigns
They spent 12x as much as A. Johnson and Hubbard
Dems Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard beat incumbent Republicans Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson
Utilities funded 87% of F. Johnson's & 61% Echols' campaigns
They spent 12x as much as A. Johnson and Hubbard
Rare earths actually enable lasers of all kinds used in:
- LiDAR
- Self-driving cars
- LASIK
- Breaking up kidney stones
- Photolithography & chip-making
- LiDAR
- Self-driving cars
- LASIK
- Breaking up kidney stones
- Photolithography & chip-making
November 6, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Rare earths actually enable lasers of all kinds used in:
- LiDAR
- Self-driving cars
- LASIK
- Breaking up kidney stones
- Photolithography & chip-making
- LiDAR
- Self-driving cars
- LASIK
- Breaking up kidney stones
- Photolithography & chip-making
Few know that we owe our global Internet infrastructure to Erbium (Er), a rare earth element
But it's not NdPr used in permanent magnets so nobody cares!
But it's not NdPr used in permanent magnets so nobody cares!
November 6, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Few know that we owe our global Internet infrastructure to Erbium (Er), a rare earth element
But it's not NdPr used in permanent magnets so nobody cares!
But it's not NdPr used in permanent magnets so nobody cares!
Many picture carbon capture as just a filter or sieve that you just put in a smokestack.
It’s actually more like building a chemical plant next door
Note that carbon capture uses so much energy that it needs its own source of electricity (the cogeneration plant)
It’s actually more like building a chemical plant next door
Note that carbon capture uses so much energy that it needs its own source of electricity (the cogeneration plant)
August 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Many picture carbon capture as just a filter or sieve that you just put in a smokestack.
It’s actually more like building a chemical plant next door
Note that carbon capture uses so much energy that it needs its own source of electricity (the cogeneration plant)
It’s actually more like building a chemical plant next door
Note that carbon capture uses so much energy that it needs its own source of electricity (the cogeneration plant)
Pic of a pressure vessel getting forged, likely for a nuclear reactor
August 7, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Pic of a pressure vessel getting forged, likely for a nuclear reactor
So yeah, that's how rare earth magnets get made. It's niche, advanced metallurgy that needs well-trained technicians to operate equipment
Also materials/mechanical/chemical engineers to do rigorous quality tests and certify the product as industrial grade
Also materials/mechanical/chemical engineers to do rigorous quality tests and certify the product as industrial grade
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
So yeah, that's how rare earth magnets get made. It's niche, advanced metallurgy that needs well-trained technicians to operate equipment
Also materials/mechanical/chemical engineers to do rigorous quality tests and certify the product as industrial grade
Also materials/mechanical/chemical engineers to do rigorous quality tests and certify the product as industrial grade
The last big step is annealing. Basically, slowly cooling the 1000°C metal in stages (still like 600°C). This "massages" out tension in the microstructure, giving the magnet even MORE magnetic power
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The last big step is annealing. Basically, slowly cooling the 1000°C metal in stages (still like 600°C). This "massages" out tension in the microstructure, giving the magnet even MORE magnetic power
Sintering lets us control the atomic/crystal structure of the material
Crystal structure matters for the same reason why diamond and graphite/pencil led are both carbon but have such different properties
Crystal structure matters for the same reason why diamond and graphite/pencil led are both carbon but have such different properties
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Sintering lets us control the atomic/crystal structure of the material
Crystal structure matters for the same reason why diamond and graphite/pencil led are both carbon but have such different properties
Crystal structure matters for the same reason why diamond and graphite/pencil led are both carbon but have such different properties
Also in inert atmosphere, the sandcastle that’s just a *bit* more compact than before finally gets some structure in a process called sintering.
Heating to ~1000°C, just below the melting point, fuses the powder particles while keeping the bulk shape.
Heating to ~1000°C, just below the melting point, fuses the powder particles while keeping the bulk shape.
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Also in inert atmosphere, the sandcastle that’s just a *bit* more compact than before finally gets some structure in a process called sintering.
Heating to ~1000°C, just below the melting point, fuses the powder particles while keeping the bulk shape.
Heating to ~1000°C, just below the melting point, fuses the powder particles while keeping the bulk shape.
Powder gets shaped in a mold or “die" kinda like making a sandcastle. This also happens under vacuum/inert atmosphere.
Gas compresses the powder equally on all sides while a magnetic field of 1~2 Tesla (100~200x stronger than a kitchen magnet) which makes the metal more magnetic
Gas compresses the powder equally on all sides while a magnetic field of 1~2 Tesla (100~200x stronger than a kitchen magnet) which makes the metal more magnetic
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Powder gets shaped in a mold or “die" kinda like making a sandcastle. This also happens under vacuum/inert atmosphere.
Gas compresses the powder equally on all sides while a magnetic field of 1~2 Tesla (100~200x stronger than a kitchen magnet) which makes the metal more magnetic
Gas compresses the powder equally on all sides while a magnetic field of 1~2 Tesla (100~200x stronger than a kitchen magnet) which makes the metal more magnetic
Now we can mechanically powder the embrittled metal. First, a big crushing machine called a mill grinds the metal into mm-sized bits.
Then, also under inert gas to not react with oxygen, you shoot pulses of super compressed gas at the coarse powder to get finer, µm-sized bits.
Then, also under inert gas to not react with oxygen, you shoot pulses of super compressed gas at the coarse powder to get finer, µm-sized bits.
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Now we can mechanically powder the embrittled metal. First, a big crushing machine called a mill grinds the metal into mm-sized bits.
Then, also under inert gas to not react with oxygen, you shoot pulses of super compressed gas at the coarse powder to get finer, µm-sized bits.
Then, also under inert gas to not react with oxygen, you shoot pulses of super compressed gas at the coarse powder to get finer, µm-sized bits.
Now we get into the steps that ppl omit. First, we need NdFeB alloy powder. But you can’t just file/crush a solid block of metal into powder.
By carefully adding H2, the alloy gets brittled. Kinda like how water can crack rock from the inside when it freezes and expands.
By carefully adding H2, the alloy gets brittled. Kinda like how water can crack rock from the inside when it freezes and expands.
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Now we get into the steps that ppl omit. First, we need NdFeB alloy powder. But you can’t just file/crush a solid block of metal into powder.
By carefully adding H2, the alloy gets brittled. Kinda like how water can crack rock from the inside when it freezes and expands.
By carefully adding H2, the alloy gets brittled. Kinda like how water can crack rock from the inside when it freezes and expands.
Making NdFeB alloy is what you’d expect: melting and mixing metals
Except rare earth magnets need *extremely* high purities. Oxygen in the atmosphere is very reactive with metals (think rust), so melting happens under inert gas in a vacuum induction furnace
Except rare earth magnets need *extremely* high purities. Oxygen in the atmosphere is very reactive with metals (think rust), so melting happens under inert gas in a vacuum induction furnace
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Making NdFeB alloy is what you’d expect: melting and mixing metals
Except rare earth magnets need *extremely* high purities. Oxygen in the atmosphere is very reactive with metals (think rust), so melting happens under inert gas in a vacuum induction furnace
Except rare earth magnets need *extremely* high purities. Oxygen in the atmosphere is very reactive with metals (think rust), so melting happens under inert gas in a vacuum induction furnace
I'll cover rare earth NdFeB magnets used in EVs and wind turbines here. Might make more posts like this in a sort of "manufacturing 101" series if ppl like it
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
I'll cover rare earth NdFeB magnets used in EVs and wind turbines here. Might make more posts like this in a sort of "manufacturing 101" series if ppl like it
Critical mineral processing and revitalizing American manufacturing are all the rage right now. But a big part of the supply chain gets left out:
How do we actually make the solar cells, rare earth magnets, and high-strength alloys used in next-gen tech?
How do we actually make the solar cells, rare earth magnets, and high-strength alloys used in next-gen tech?
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Critical mineral processing and revitalizing American manufacturing are all the rage right now. But a big part of the supply chain gets left out:
How do we actually make the solar cells, rare earth magnets, and high-strength alloys used in next-gen tech?
How do we actually make the solar cells, rare earth magnets, and high-strength alloys used in next-gen tech?
Haven’t seen that info for 2025. But IEA says U is only 5% of CCUS in 2030 for NZE scenario.
They say 50 Mtpy CCUS capacity in 2025. So 5% of 50 Mtpy = 2.5 Mtpy. Or ~1% of all CO2 used today.
So that’s an upper bound I guess using NZE and 2030 numbers as proxy. :)
www.iea.org/commentaries...
They say 50 Mtpy CCUS capacity in 2025. So 5% of 50 Mtpy = 2.5 Mtpy. Or ~1% of all CO2 used today.
So that’s an upper bound I guess using NZE and 2030 numbers as proxy. :)
www.iea.org/commentaries...
July 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Haven’t seen that info for 2025. But IEA says U is only 5% of CCUS in 2030 for NZE scenario.
They say 50 Mtpy CCUS capacity in 2025. So 5% of 50 Mtpy = 2.5 Mtpy. Or ~1% of all CO2 used today.
So that’s an upper bound I guess using NZE and 2030 numbers as proxy. :)
www.iea.org/commentaries...
They say 50 Mtpy CCUS capacity in 2025. So 5% of 50 Mtpy = 2.5 Mtpy. Or ~1% of all CO2 used today.
So that’s an upper bound I guess using NZE and 2030 numbers as proxy. :)
www.iea.org/commentaries...
Our research explored every chemical process needed to turn rocks in the ground into the semiconductors, cathodes, anodes, fiber optics, and advanced alloys used to make cutting-edge technologies
July 22, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Our research explored every chemical process needed to turn rocks in the ground into the semiconductors, cathodes, anodes, fiber optics, and advanced alloys used to make cutting-edge technologies
Ga is used in rare earth magnets, semiconductors, LEDs and more. Ga semiconductors use Ga(CH3)3 made from GaCl4
GaCl4 is a corrosive, highly toxic gas
Ga(CH3)3 is pyrophoric AKA it spontaneously combusts if exposed to air!
So stockpiling isn't just piles of rock in a warehouse!
GaCl4 is a corrosive, highly toxic gas
Ga(CH3)3 is pyrophoric AKA it spontaneously combusts if exposed to air!
So stockpiling isn't just piles of rock in a warehouse!
July 22, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Ga is used in rare earth magnets, semiconductors, LEDs and more. Ga semiconductors use Ga(CH3)3 made from GaCl4
GaCl4 is a corrosive, highly toxic gas
Ga(CH3)3 is pyrophoric AKA it spontaneously combusts if exposed to air!
So stockpiling isn't just piles of rock in a warehouse!
GaCl4 is a corrosive, highly toxic gas
Ga(CH3)3 is pyrophoric AKA it spontaneously combusts if exposed to air!
So stockpiling isn't just piles of rock in a warehouse!
I love using gallium's (Ga) supply chain to show the difficulties of modern stockpiling
China makes 98% of the world’s low-purity Ga and banned exports to the US in Dec 2024. We obtain Ga only as a byproduct of processing other minerals and in low, borderline uneconomical amts
China makes 98% of the world’s low-purity Ga and banned exports to the US in Dec 2024. We obtain Ga only as a byproduct of processing other minerals and in low, borderline uneconomical amts
July 22, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I love using gallium's (Ga) supply chain to show the difficulties of modern stockpiling
China makes 98% of the world’s low-purity Ga and banned exports to the US in Dec 2024. We obtain Ga only as a byproduct of processing other minerals and in low, borderline uneconomical amts
China makes 98% of the world’s low-purity Ga and banned exports to the US in Dec 2024. We obtain Ga only as a byproduct of processing other minerals and in low, borderline uneconomical amts
Operation of a strategic minerals reserve must balance a slew of considerations. To name a few:
- Does US industry use the material? Make the material?
- How import-dependent is the US?
- Will the material degrade or become contaminated?
- Is the material safe to store?
- Does US industry use the material? Make the material?
- How import-dependent is the US?
- Will the material degrade or become contaminated?
- Is the material safe to store?
July 22, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Operation of a strategic minerals reserve must balance a slew of considerations. To name a few:
- Does US industry use the material? Make the material?
- How import-dependent is the US?
- Will the material degrade or become contaminated?
- Is the material safe to store?
- Does US industry use the material? Make the material?
- How import-dependent is the US?
- Will the material degrade or become contaminated?
- Is the material safe to store?
To fill this lack of quantitative evidence, I calculated the levelized costs of grey, blue, and green urea fertilizer made in SSA using techno-economic modeling of 3 simulated chemical plants.
Importantly, I properly cover the *entire* process, from feedstock to fertilizer.
Importantly, I properly cover the *entire* process, from feedstock to fertilizer.
July 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
To fill this lack of quantitative evidence, I calculated the levelized costs of grey, blue, and green urea fertilizer made in SSA using techno-economic modeling of 3 simulated chemical plants.
Importantly, I properly cover the *entire* process, from feedstock to fertilizer.
Importantly, I properly cover the *entire* process, from feedstock to fertilizer.
Hundreds of millions in SSA need food. Right now. Green fertilizer isn’t a solution. SSA must make "grey" or "blue" fertilizer using nat gas (blue = grey + CCUS)
But even fertilizer made from imported nat gas is too expensive. SSA only has one option: tap into more domestic nat gas deposits
But even fertilizer made from imported nat gas is too expensive. SSA only has one option: tap into more domestic nat gas deposits
July 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Hundreds of millions in SSA need food. Right now. Green fertilizer isn’t a solution. SSA must make "grey" or "blue" fertilizer using nat gas (blue = grey + CCUS)
But even fertilizer made from imported nat gas is too expensive. SSA only has one option: tap into more domestic nat gas deposits
But even fertilizer made from imported nat gas is too expensive. SSA only has one option: tap into more domestic nat gas deposits
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) can't improve fertilizer access using only green H2 and CO2 capture
In my new study I provide much-needed cost estimates of green fertilizer made in SSA
The result? Even <$1/kg green H2 wouldn't make green fertilizer affordable🧵 www.breakthroughjournal.org/p/sub-sahara...
In my new study I provide much-needed cost estimates of green fertilizer made in SSA
The result? Even <$1/kg green H2 wouldn't make green fertilizer affordable🧵 www.breakthroughjournal.org/p/sub-sahara...
July 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) can't improve fertilizer access using only green H2 and CO2 capture
In my new study I provide much-needed cost estimates of green fertilizer made in SSA
The result? Even <$1/kg green H2 wouldn't make green fertilizer affordable🧵 www.breakthroughjournal.org/p/sub-sahara...
In my new study I provide much-needed cost estimates of green fertilizer made in SSA
The result? Even <$1/kg green H2 wouldn't make green fertilizer affordable🧵 www.breakthroughjournal.org/p/sub-sahara...
I shouldn't have to say it, but tackling climate change is NOT a physiological need. It's important, don't get me wrong. But c'mon. Don't gatekeep how SSA countries choose to feed their own citizens. Decarbonize literally anything else besides how a continent feeds itself
July 17, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I shouldn't have to say it, but tackling climate change is NOT a physiological need. It's important, don't get me wrong. But c'mon. Don't gatekeep how SSA countries choose to feed their own citizens. Decarbonize literally anything else besides how a continent feeds itself