Abstract: An x-ray irradiation system includes a first x-ray tube constructed and arranged to be able to irradiate an object with at least a portion of a first x-ray beam emitted from the first x-ray tube, and a second x-ray tube constructed and arranged to be able to irradiate the object with at least a portion of a second x-ray beam emitted from said second x-ray tube simultaneously with said first x-ray beam. The first and second x-ray tubes are arranged such that the first and second x-ray beams are incident on, and intersect within, the object at respective first and second oblique angles to define a target volume such that a dose rate is substantially uniform as prescribed within said target volume.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of one or more rare earth elements (REEs). More specifically, disclosed herein is a method comprising n stages, wherein each stage comprises treating a sample comprising one or more REEs with a reagent to form a carbonate, hydroxycarbonate, bicarbonate of one or more rare earth elements. The sample’s pH is adjusted, and the sample is aged to form solid and liquid fractions, where the solid fraction comprises a precipitated salt of the REEs. The method is repeated an n number of times to maximize the recovery % of REEs. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for the purpose of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of lithium from lithium-bearing materials. More specifically, disclosed herein are methods comprising heating the lithium-bearing material with a solid roasting agent, forming a water suspension to allow to leach at least a portion of lithium into the water, separating a liquid and solid phase, and then exposing the collected solid phase to acid to allow acid leaching of the remaining amount of lithium.