UO
University of Alberta
Steam quality read in real time on a SAGD production well.
LicensingIn-development
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Updated Nov 2, 2026
Natural resource extraction covers getting a mineral or a hydrocarbon out of the ground or a waste stream, and measuring the process. On Halo, the solutions cover measuring in a hostile process, recovering from waste and seawater, extraction chemistry and modeling, and mining and drilling operations. Sign up to search the full network and post your specific need.
Measuring in a hostile process
UO
UO
University of Alberta
Multivariable microwave sensors that hold up in oil sand conditions.
LicensingIn-development
MH
An in-situ zirconia oxygen analyzer built for SO2 and SO3 laden gas.
In-development
Recovering from waste and seawater
JB
Avasa Regen · Startup
Modular recovery aimed at what is already sitting in mining waste.
Pilot/trialIn-development
SS
steve smith, consulting scientist · Startup
Extracting the trace elements seawater holds but nobody can concentrate.
LicensingIn-development
AD
Imperial College London · University
Ionic liquids pulling alkali salts selectively out of metal oxides.
In-development
Extraction chemistry and modeling
UO
University of Alberta
Surface-modified lithium manganese oxide, for extracting lithium.
LicensingIn-development
UO
University of Alberta
A viscoelastic model for enhanced oil recovery and reservoir simulation.
LicensingIn-development
Mining and drilling operations
Charles Stack
NeoChloris Inc. · Startup
A living algal biocrust grown on mine sites and haul roads to hold fine dust in place.
LicensingIn-development
GD
GA Drilling · Startup
Downhole anchoring and drive for autonomous reeled drilling, aimed at cheaper offshore well construction.
In-development
UO
University of Pretoria
Dry separation of high-ash coal by particle size, density and airflow, cutting the wet circuit from beneficiation.
In-development
Biological extraction
ME
Metalplant · Startup
Hyperaccumulator crops bred to draw more nickel out of the soil, so the harvested plants become a nickel source.
In-development
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Who is working on natural resource extraction
Innovators in natural resource extraction
Researchers and inventors advancing natural resource extraction.
Natural resource extraction expertsAbout natural resource extraction
The work on Halo spans the mine site and the well, from automated drilling rigs and dry coal separation to sensors built for oil sand and sulfur-laden gas. Another set recovers metals from mining waste, seawater and plants, and uses biology or designed chemistry to pull out a single element. On Halo it spans five groups, including measuring in a hostile process, recovering from waste and seawater, and extraction chemistry and modeling.
Stage of development. Work on natural resource extraction on Halo is split between university programs and companies. 40% of the solutions are in market. Licensing and sponsored research are the usual partnering routes, and about 28% of the solutions that state terms offer pilot engagements.
Three trends in natural resource extraction on Halo
Sensing in hostile process conditions. Measurement is still the easiest point of entry for an outside idea. Sensors read steam quality on a SAGD production well, hold up in oil sand conditions, and analyze oxygen in gas laden with SO2 and SO3. Inline analysis brings lab-grade metals measurement onto the process line for control and compliance at once.
The resource has already been dug. Four entries recover material from somewhere other than a deposit: mining waste reprocessed modularly, trace elements from seawater, alkali salts pulled from metal oxides with ionic liquids, and salts and sulfates taken out of solid waste. Grade is falling in primary deposits and rising in what has already been dug.
Selective extraction from biology and chemistry. Selective extraction now comes from biology as well as chemistry. Hyperaccumulator crops are bred to draw nickel out of the soil so the harvest becomes a nickel source, and engineered microbes pull rare earths from ore and coal ash and separate them one element at a time. On the chemistry side, a surface-modified lithium manganese oxide is built to extract lithium.
439organizations
464solutions listed
56%from university labs
40%in market
Frequently asked questions
What is natural resource extraction?
Natural resource extraction covers getting a mineral or a hydrocarbon out of the ground and measuring the process that does it. It spans recovery from waste and unconventional sources, sensing built for high temperature and corrosive streams, separation chemistry for salts and metal oxides, and the modeling behind a reservoir. Mining and oil and gas operators are the buyers.
What are examples of natural resource extraction?
Five examples of natural resource extraction solutions on Halo include:
- Steam quality read in real time on a SAGD production well. (University of Alberta)
- Modular recovery aimed at what is already sitting in mining waste. (Avasa Regen)
- Surface-modified lithium manganese oxide, for extracting lithium. (University of Alberta)
- A living algal biocrust grown on mine sites and haul roads to hold fine dust in place. (NeoChloris Inc.)
- Hyperaccumulator crops bred to draw more nickel out of the soil, so the harvested plants become a nickel source. (Metalplant)
What are the latest natural resource extraction innovations?
The most recently updated natural resource extraction solutions on Halo include:
- Downhole anchoring and drive for autonomous reeled drilling, aimed at cheaper offshore well construction. (GA Drilling)
- Dry separation of high-ash coal by particle size, density and airflow, cutting the wet circuit from beneficiation. (University of Pretoria)
- Hyperaccumulator crops bred to draw more nickel out of the soil, so the harvested plants become a nickel source. (Metalplant)
Which companies and suppliers are developing natural resource extraction?
There are 439 organizations with natural resource extraction solutions on Halo, 50 of them universities and research institutions. Among them are University of Alberta, RB Technologies, and Avasa Regen. Most offer licensing or sponsored research. Sign up to see every organization working in the area and to send them your specific need.
How do I find natural resource extraction research partners?
Browsing natural resource extraction solutions on Halo is free. Sign up to search the full network and save the ones you want. Post your specific need to get exact matches. Organizations reply directly on the platform.
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