Postdoctoral Research Associate
Materials Systems Laboratory at MIT
Dr. Elisa Alonso is a postdoctoral research associate in the Materials Systems Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her research interests include evaluating resource availability concerns and motivating environmental considerations in product design and manufacturing decisions.
Elisa graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Canada with a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 2001. Semesters of classes in topics such as mineral processing, hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy were interspersed with internships at Mount Isa Mines (now owned by Xstrata), Stelco, and Alcan. In addition to hands-on experience with lead-zinc beneficiation, iron and steel-making and welding of sheet aluminum for automotive applications, these internships provided her with industry experience.
After taking time off to travel and study Mandarin, Chinese in Taiwan, Elisa pursued a doctorate degree in Materials Science and Engineering at MIT and finished in December 2009. Her thesis examined risks of materials availability from the perspective of manufacturing firms and involved building a market model of platinum as a case study. It was shown that manufacturing firms may not be adequately appreciating the benefits of recycling, dematerialization and materials substitution if they do not consider the effects of increasing scarcity. Moreover, because markets respond slowly to changes, manufacturers who can respond rapidly to increasing scarcity because they have a strategy in place can gain a competitive advantage. She has received recognition from the International Precious Metals Institute and the Martin Foundation for her work.
ARTICLE: Evaluating Rare Earth Element Availability for Green Technologies
Major Uses: domestic consumption, transportation, building, electrical
Import Dependency for U.S.: 38%
Major Importers: Canada, Russia, China, Mexico
Major Uses: construction, transportation (predominantly automotive), cans and containers
Import Dependency for U.S.: 7%
Major Importers: Canada, European Union, China, Mexico
Major Uses: aircraft gas turbine engines, cemented carbides for cutting, wear-resistant applications
Import Dependency for U.S.: 81%
Major Importers: Norway, Russia, China, Canada
Major Uses: building construction, electric and electronic products, and transportation equipment
Import Dependency for U.S.: 30%
Major Importers: Chile, Canada, Peru, Mexico
Major Uses: catalysts to decrease harmful emissions in light- and heavy-duty vehicles, also used in chemical and petroleum refining sector, and fabrication of laboratory equipment
Import Dependency for U.S.: 94%
Major Importers: South Africa, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada
Major Uses: coins and medals, industrial applications, jewelry and silverware, and photography
Import Dependency for U.S.: 65%
Major Importers: Mexico, Canada, Peru, Chile
Major Uses: automotive electronics, pagers, personal computers, and portable telephones
Import Dependency for U.S.: 100%
Major Importers: Australia, China, Kazakhstan, Germany
Major Uses: petroleum-reforming catalysts, superalloys used in turbine engine components
Import Dependency for U.S.: 86%
Major Importers: Chile, Netherlands
Major Uses: catalysts to decrease harmful emissions in light- and heavy-duty vehicles, also used in chemical and petroleum refining sector, and fabrication of laboratory equipment
Import Dependency for U.S.: 94%
Major Importers: South Africa, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada
Major Uses: Jewelry and arts, electrical and electronics, dental and other
Import Dependency for U.S.: 33%
Major Importers: Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile
