Abstract: Methods and systems for producing iron from an iron-containing ore and removing impurities found in the iron-containing ore are disclosed. For example, a method for producing iron comprises providing a feedstock having an iron-containing ore and one or more impurities to a dissolution subsystem comprising a first electrochemical cell; producing an iron-rich solution, in the dissolution subsystem; treating the iron-rich solution to remove at least a portion of one or more impurities by raising a pH of the iron-rich solution from an initial pH to an adjusted pH thereby precipitating at least a portion of the one or more impurities in the treated iron-rich solution; delivering the treated iron-rich solution to an iron-plating subsystem having a second electrochemical cell; second electrochemically reducing at least a first portion of the transferred formed Fe2+ ions to Fe metal; and removing the Fe metal from the second electrochemical cell thereby producing iron.

Abstract: A method of making a material for capturing carbon dioxide from the earth's atmosphere, comprises producing an acid and a base with an electrochemical acid-base generator; dissolving a mineral in the acid to produce a mineral rich solution, separating silica from the mineral rich solution to form a silica depleted solution; adding a first portion of the base to the silica depleted solution to remove impurities by precipitation, adding a second portion of the base until ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2) precipitates, then pausing base addition and removing the ferrous hydroxide precipitate from the solution. Then adding a third portion of the base to the iron-depleted solution to precipitate magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) and/or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2).

Abstract: A method of utilizing an expanded polyvinylchloride (PVC) foam having cohesive and high static-friction properties to attach, hang, display, hold or adhere one or more lightweight objects, decorative items and/or works of art, in a selectively positionable and re-positionable fashion. The methods of the present invention are particularly useful as toys and craft materials, as well as for use in hanging objects, documents, and decorative items as an alternative to the use of magnets, glue, adhesives or other means known in the art.