Series Overview: Challenges and Solutions for Critical Materials in Energy and Electronics

The theme for Autumn 2026 is “Challenges and Solutions for Critical Materials in Energy and Electronics.”  Distinguished guest speakers and panels discuss leading-edge business and technology innovations coming from Asian companies and research institutions.  Planned topics include R&D into alternative materials for rare earths, battery recycling, regulatory approaches, and supply chain resilience.  While technical approaches will be introduced, most content should be accessible to those with a general background.

On September 24th, Dr. Richard Dasher, Director of US-ATMC, provides an overview of challenges and solutions related to critical materials and their supply chains in energy and electronics domains.  The dramatic increase in data center capacity and rising demand for battery energy storage have led to shortages of materials from water to copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel.  Meanwhile, geopolitical conflicts are bringing in uncertainties in accessing critical materials such as ruthenium, gallium, germanium, and rare earths at exactly the time as advances in semiconductor technologies are increasing demand.  This session will survey solutions to such challenges, such as the development of new manufacturing processes, AI-driven development of replacement materials, recycling, and also policy and economic measures.  In so doing, it will also serve as an introduction to subsequent sessions by guest speakers in this weekly series that continues on Thursdays until December 4.  

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Our series on “Topics in International Technology Management | Challenges and Solutions for Critical Materials in Energy and Electronics" begins September 24, 2026 and continues until December 3, 2026. Seminars will be held most Thursdays, 4:30 PM – 5:50 PM.  The series is available to Stanford students for credit; register for MATSCI 402A “Topics in International Technology Management,” also cross-listed as EE-402A, EASTASN 402A and EALC-402A, 1 unit S/NC. 

To attend by Zoom, please register here.

To attend in-person, please register over Eventbrite here.