UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Three Penn State energy and mineral engineering doctoral students traveled 8,176 miles from University Park to South Africa to attend the Mintek@90 Conference last fall. Hosted by Mintek, one of South Africa's leading mineral research organizations, the group presented research and introduced Penn State as a strategic research partner to South African academic and industrial leaders.
The trip exceeded expectations for students Samukeliso Dube, Toluwalase Ogunsunlade and Ayuk Ayuk, they said.
Dube became interested in renewable energy after seeing the need for energy in her hometown of Gwanda, Zimbabwe. Her research focuses on optimizing the recycling process of lithium-ion batteries found in most consumer electronic devices. She said her goal is to minimize the energy consumption of recycling processes while maximizing the profit incentive for potential businesses.
"I was excited to share my work on upcycling low-cost lithium-ion battery cathode materials like lithium manganese oxide and how I took action by hanging flyers around campus to promote recycling. It's fulfilling to know I am contributing to positive change," Dube said.
Before enrolling at Penn State, Ogunsunlade worked as a mining engineer in Nigeria's cement industry and had previous experience making presentations — but this would be his first at an international conference. He said he was happy his presentation on the sustainable extraction of lithium using high-energy milling led to robust discussions and positive feedback. For him, networking at the conference was an important step to achieving his goals.
"The need for lithium is a global dilemma, and we can't solve it by creating another problem by using harmful chemicals for extraction," Ogunsunlade said. "Finding a sustainable solution requires collaboration, so it was good to hear ideas from people outside my circle and share advice. It feels great to know I’m adding to the pool of knowledge."
The conference also offered a significant chance to reset for the students.
Ayuk spent most of the conference attending presentations and considering how his research intersects with other’s research. He is developing a mechanistic model to predict breakage probability in the fine grinding process to optimize the energy-intensive grinding phase of mineral processing. According to Ayuk, extracting minerals often requires a physical separation process, such as grinding, so the model has broad applications.
"Sometimes when you're doing your research, you start to ask yourself if people need it or if it even makes sense," Ayuk said. "With the opportunity to listen to presenters, even from different specialties, you start to see a linkage between your work and theirs. It gives you a broader knowledge base and encouragement you can't gain from the classroom."
Ayuk's favorite part of the trip was visiting the Blyvoor Gold Mine in Carltonville, South Africa, after the conference, he said. The students were able to watch each step of the gold smelting process and travel deep into the mine, to a subsurface depth of just over a mile. None of the students had been underground before. The trip concluded with the group holding a 4.95 kg gold bar worth around $85,600.
"When you see the gold brick, it is a beautiful thing to behold, but going underground was mind-blowing," Ayuk said. "The tunnels were so narrow and hot that we almost instantly became dehydrated. I'm glad we only went halfway down."
For Dube, the experience was also an affirmation.
"It's completely different to experience a mine in real life because when you're at your desk reading, it's all in your imagination," Dube said. "Seeing the grueling conditions inside the mine firsthand reinforced the necessity of recycling and the importance of my research."
Thandazile Moyo, assistant professor of energy and mineral engineering, was one of several faculty members from the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Earth and Mineral Engineering (EME) who accompanied the students. Moyo said attending the conference, being ambassadors for Penn State at the EME’s exhibition booth and visiting the mine combined for a meaningful learning experience.
"A visit to a goldmine brought to life an experience of all the stages in mining, helping students see exactly where and how their research contributes to the minerals development value chain," Moyo said. "In other words, until now they were studying and improving a process they had never seen. Seeing the different aspects in real life puts things into perspective."
Dube, Ayuk and Ogunsunlade each said they plan to use their new perspectives as they continue their research.
“The department has offered incredible opportunities, like attending the conference to having access to state-of-the-art characterization techniques at the Materials Characterization Lab for my research,” Dube said. “I'm looking forward to taking these skills into industry after my Ph.D.”
The trip was organized in part with the Alliance for Education, Science, Engineering and Development in Africa (AESEDA) which serves as a coordinating body that promotes Penn State’s engagement in Africa. Its mission is to help build partnerships with African institutions that develop and foster collaboration and mutually beneficial programs and is leading research across the different stages of the minerals value chain.