A method of producing a composite material comprising: supplying a metal compound (M.sub.PC) of a product metal (M.sub.P) and a reductant (R) capable of reducing the metal compound (M.sub.PC) of the product metal (MP) to a reactor; forming a composite material comprising a matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.0) of the reductant (R), the product metal (M.sub.P) dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.0), and at least one of (i) one or more metal compounds (M.sub.PC.sub.R) of the metal compound (M.sub.PC) in one or more oxidation states and (ii) the reductant (R); and recovering the composite material from the reactor, wherein the metal compound (M.sub.PC) of the product metal (M.sub.P) is fed to the reactor such that it is in excess relative to the reductant (R).

A method of producing a composite material comprising: supplying a metal compound (M.sub.PC) of a product metal (M.sub.P) and a reductant (R) capable of reducing the metal compound (M.sub.PC) of the product metal (MP) to a reactor; forming a composite material comprising a matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.0) of the reductant (R), the product metal (M.sub.P) dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.0), and at least one of (i) one or more metal compounds (M.sub.PC.sub.R) of the metal compound (M.sub.PC) in one or more oxidation states and (ii) the reductant (R); and recovering the composite material from the reactor, wherein the metal compound (M.sub.PC) of the product metal (M.sub.P) is fed to the reactor such that it is in excess relative to the reductant (R).

In an embodiment, an alloy is exposed to a hydrophilic solvent at least until at least one Group I or Group II element is substantially removed so as to produce a nanomaterial that substantially includes a metal, semimetal or non-metal material and that exhibits a desired set of microstructure characteristics. The hydrophilic solvent is configured to be reactive with respect to the at least one Group I or Group II element and substantially unreactive with respect to the metal, semimetal or non-metal material. In another embodiment, an active material is infiltrated into pores of a nanoporous metal or metal oxide, after which the infiltrated nanoporous metal or metal oxide material is annealed to produce an active material-based nanocomposite material. A protective coating layer is deposited on at least part of a surface of the active material-based nanocomposite material.

In an embodiment, an alloy is exposed to a hydrophilic solvent at least until at least one Group I or Group II element is substantially removed so as to produce a nanomaterial that substantially includes a metal, semimetal or non-metal material and that exhibits a desired set of microstructure characteristics. The hydrophilic solvent is configured to be reactive with respect to the at least one Group I or Group II element and substantially unreactive with respect to the metal, semimetal or non-metal material. In another embodiment, an active material is infiltrated into pores of a nanoporous metal or metal oxide, after which the infiltrated nanoporous metal or metal oxide material is annealed to produce an active material-based nanocomposite material. A protective coating layer is deposited on at least part of a surface of the active material-based nanocomposite material.

A method for beneficiation of mineralogical materials that comprises using a one or more of a suite of processes including fluidized bed separation, plasma-based stimulation or enhancement of chemical reactions using a Reactive X-Ray Chemical Processor, field enhancement of chemical reactions and process and drying. All of the processes can be used singly, jointly, simultaneously or sequentially in multiple stages. The methods are nearly non-polluting and serve to replace polluting wet chemistry and other beneficiation techniques.

A method for beneficiation of mineralogical materials that comprises using a one or more of a suite of processes including fluidized bed separation, plasma-based stimulation or enhancement of chemical reactions using a Reactive X-Ray Chemical Processor, field enhancement of chemical reactions and process and drying. All of the processes can be used singly, jointly, simultaneously or sequentially in multiple stages. The methods are nearly non-polluting and serve to replace polluting wet chemistry and other beneficiation techniques.

In a method for regenerating a lithium precursor, a cathode active material mixture that includes an active material powder including lithium composite oxide particles and dust particles is prepared. The dust particles are separated from the cathode active material mixture using a classifier to collect the active material powder. The active material powder is reduced to form a preliminary precursor mixture. A lithium precursor is recovered from the preliminary precursor mixture. The lithium precursor can be obtained with high purity and high yield.

In a method for regenerating a lithium precursor, a cathode active material mixture that includes an active material powder including lithium composite oxide particles and dust particles is prepared. The dust particles are separated from the cathode active material mixture using a classifier to collect the active material powder. The active material powder is reduced to form a preliminary precursor mixture. A lithium precursor is recovered from the preliminary precursor mixture. The lithium precursor can be obtained with high purity and high yield.

A method of producing a composite material comprising: supplying a metal compound (M.sub.PC) of a product metal (M.sub.P) and a reductant (R) capable of reducing the metal compound (M.sub.PC) of the product metal (MP) to a reactor; forming a composite material comprising a matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.0) of the reductant (R), the product metal (M.sub.P) dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.0), and at least one of (i) one or more metal compounds (M.sub.PC.sub.R) of the metal compound (M.sub.PC) in one or more oxidation states and (ii) the reductant (R); and recovering the composite material from the reactor, wherein the metal compound (M.sub.PC) of the product metal (M.sub.P) is fed to the reactor such that it is in excess relative to the reductant (R).

A method of producing a composite material comprising: supplying a metal compound (M.sub.PC) of a product metal (M.sub.P) and a reductant (R) capable of reducing the metal compound (M.sub.PC) of the product metal (MP) to a reactor; forming a composite material comprising a matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.0) of the reductant (R), the product metal (M.sub.P) dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.0), and at least one of (i) one or more metal compounds (M.sub.PC.sub.R) of the metal compound (M.sub.PC) in one or more oxidation states and (ii) the reductant (R); and recovering the composite material from the reactor, wherein the metal compound (M.sub.PC) of the product metal (M.sub.P) is fed to the reactor such that it is in excess relative to the reductant (R).