Strategic and Critical Raw Materials
master
University of Trieste (Italy)
Hybrid
Alois Bonifacio
English
10
Summary
After a general introduction on critical and strategic materials, an overview will be presented on the importance of some materials across history, leading to today’s materials, and their importance at a geopolitical level. Special attention will be paid to materials used for technologies related to energy production and storage. We will then move on to defining what is meant by "critical material" according to different criteria, including ethical considerations. We will then review the most important strategies to mitigate their criticality, focusing in particular on recycling and replacement with less critical materials. Contents are in agreement with the teaching objectives of the course of studies. Class Schedule: https://orari.units.it/agendaweb/index.php?view=easycourse&form-type=attivita&include=attivita&anno=2026&attivita%5B%5D=EC790214&visualizzazione_orario=cal&periodo_didattico=&date=28-08-2026&_lang=it&list=&week_grid_type=-1&ar_codes_=&ar_select_=&col_cells=0&empty_box=0&only_grid=0&highlighted_date=0&all_events=0&faculty_group=0#https://orari.units.it/agendaweb/index.php?view=easycourse&form-type=attivita&include=attivita&anno=2026&attivita%5B%5D=EC790214&visualizzazione_orario=cal&periodo_didattico=&date=28-08-2026&_lang=it&list=&week_grid_type=-1&ar_codes_=&ar_select_=&col_cells=0&empty_box=0&only_grid=0&highlighted_date=0&all_events=0&faculty_group=0#
Enrollment requirements
Basic knowledge of chemistry and materials science, as provided in the specific courses offered in bachelor programs.
Description
Module Goals:
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND: Understanding the concept of criticality for a give element or material, knowing which materials are commonly considered as critical, understand which are the strategies for mitigating criticality. APPLIED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Being able to recognize a critical material, or to assess the degree of criticalilty based on the appropriate parameters. Being able to judge the best strategy to mitigate criticality of a specific material or element. Being able to apply such strategy –ies, also with the support of appropriate databases and software. MAKING JUDGMENTS: Being able to judge if a material or element is critical or not. Being able to judge if the criticality can be mitigated, and how. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: The students’ ability of critically discuss and present data is fostered through the discussion of case studies in class, and through the final exam (also in the form of a seminar). LEARNING SKILLS: The individual activities such as bibliographic research, reading of case studies from the scientific literature, the use of software, finalized to the substitution of critical materials, favor and stimulate the learning ability of the student.
Enrollment Closed
Open only to T4EU students
3
24 Hours
21 September 2026
15 December 2026
08 Sep - 13 Sep 2026
