New flash method removes 96% of metals from red mud, leaves aluminum-rich residue

Rice University researchers developed a flash Joule heating method that removes 96% of metals from red mud, a hazardous aluminum production waste. By sending electrical pulses with chlorine gas through the material for less than a minute, the process leaves behind aluminum-rich residue that can be reused for production or converted into durable ceramic materials, turning a toxic environmental threat into a valuable resource.