Understanding the dynamics of the growth of three-dimensional mineral dendrites is important in physics, geology, material sciences and even the study of extraterrestrial environments.
Undersea mining is still illegal under international law and environmentalists rail against it for threatening ocean ecosystems with habitat damage, silt and noise.
New report says lithium, nickel sulphate and rare earth prices are set to recover sharply but graphite, magnesium and titanium markets are in for more pain.