Nevada Lithium Circular Economy Conference

NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships

Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development

University of Nevada, Reno Research and Innovation

In this richly illustrated presentation, Eben and Numan will explore how their indigenous, cultural perspective differs from the perspectives typically held by non-Natives. Native American historical and cultural events have largely been interpreted and related to the American public by non-Indians, many of them western-trained archaeologists and scientists. This has resulted in a proliferation of incorrect views and insensitive attitudes towards Native culture.  Additionally, problematic stereotypes have been perpetuated by television shows, movies and mass media. This presentation will describe the historical and current laws that Native American tribes must maneuver through to be heard by federal, state and local entities. It will demonstrate how government policies and administrative guidelines were created, and function, to continue the colonization of the New World.  Eben and Numan will also demonstrate how mining adversely affects the environment while asking, if extractive processes like lithium mining depend upon fossil fuels, how much lithium will society need to recycle? They will ask their audience to consider whether this new wave of extraction should require the first peoples of the U.S. to sacrifice more of their culture and more of their unceded lands to satisfy settler-colonial capitalism.

Future trends in battery technology with representatives from Dragonfly Energy, Panasonic and Comstock, Inc.

• Culture of Innovation
• Economic Development (Community and Economic Development Initiatives)
• Workforce Development
• Sustainable Development

Venture Capital with representatives from America’s Frontier Fund, Roadrunner Ventures, SVB Capital and gener8tor.

Success Stories and Lessons Learned from Successful Innovation Ecosystems with representatives from the Georgia Research Alliance, BioSTL, the Arkansas Research Alliance and the State Science & Technology Institute.

Q&A with Recharge Nevada collaborators.

• Economic Development (Nevada’s Battery Supply Chain: Challenges and Opportunities)
• Use-Inspired Research
• Workforce Development

The Battery Circular Economy with representatives from the University, Lithium Americas, Redwood Materials and American Battery Technology Company.

Workforce and Economic Development in Nevada’s New Innovation Ecosystem with representatives from Truckee Meadows Community College, the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Tesla and the University Center for Economic Development.