vansig wrote: something like a vacuum arc centrifuge could quickly separate desired elements (even to isotopic purity), from whatever junk you throw in. it just needs a lot of cheap energy. so this increases feasibility of recycling to 100%.
Yes, it changes lots of other things, too. Even mine slag and very low-grade deposits could be separated into pure elements. And so on.
With cheap energy, resource shortages pretty much vanish. Even after electrification of 3rd-world regions where it’s currently impossible, and the consequent boom in wealth and demand for goods.
FF is transformative almost beyond conceiving. Priorities and opportunities will shift and develop steeply and rapidly.
