Digging Into the Future

10.08.2025

Dr. Kristina Butler (right) leads a discussion with UT Dallas students during a summer field geology course.

As the global race to develop more efficient energy sources and storage accelerates, the demand for critical minerals – especially lithium and rare earth elements – has surged. These materials are essential to advance the technologies that power electric vehicles, smartphones and national defense systems.

At The University of Texas at Dallas, Dr. Kristina Butler, assistant professor of sustainable Earth systems sciences, is leading efforts to uncover unconventional domestic sources of these critical minerals, with a focus on the unique geological and industrial landscape of Texas.

Why Critical Minerals Matter

The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Geological Survey maintain a list of approximately 50 minerals deemed critical to national security and economic stability. These include lithium and rare earth elements (REEs), which are a group of 17 elements that are rarely found in high concentrations but are vital to battery and magnet technologies.

Historically, the United States has relied heavily on imports for these materials, with China dominating the REE market and countries like Argentina, Chile and Australia leading in lithium production. This dependency on foreign nations has prompted billions of dollars in federal investment to identify, characterize, produce and refine domestic sources.

A prime example of this investment is the Batteries and Energy to Advance Commercialization and National Security (BEACONS) initiative at UT Dallas – a $30 million, Department of Defense-funded effort to strengthen the domestic battery supply chain. BEACONS, based in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, is designed to reshore lithium-ion battery manufacturing, develop new battery chemistries and production capabilities, and build resilient supply chains – from raw materials, including REEs, to finished energy storage systems.

Treasure in the Texas Landscape

Butler’s research zeroes in on unconventional sources of lithium and REEs, particularly those found in petroleum reservoir brines and coal combustion byproducts.

Texas, with its vast oil and gas infrastructure, generates enormous volumes of “produced water,” a waste stream that contains low-to-moderate concentrations of lithium. According to Butler, these waters, especially those from the Smackover Formation extending across six states and into North Texas, represent a promising and underexplored domestic resource.

“There are opportunities for Texas in this unconventional lithium resource space,” Butler said. “Rapidly improving extraction technologies, pre-existing infrastructure and large wastewater volumes make this a potentially significant and readily available source of domestic lithium. Extraction may also be less environmentally damaging, resulting in a smaller footprint – both physical and in terms of carbon footprint – than conventional mining practices.”

Dr. David Lumley, professor and department head of sustainable Earth systems sciences, said Butler’s research could help position Texas as a leader in domestic production.

“Critical minerals are vital to the future of U.S. and global energy infrastructures, economies, national defense and societal benefit,” said Lumley, the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Chair in Geophysics. “Texas is currently No. 1 in the U.S. in hydrocarbon energy, wind energy and soon, solar energy. Dr. Kristina Butler’s exciting new research in lithium brine exploration and production may soon also make Texas No. 1 in critical minerals.”

From Lab to Workforce: Students at the Center

Butler’s work is also deeply student-centered. Her research team includes both undergraduate and graduate students who are actively involved in fieldwork and lab-based geochemical analysis. Her students are not only contributing to cutting-edge science but also are preparing for careers in a rapidly evolving industry.

A big motivating factor for Butler is facilitating access to local industry for her students.

“I’m working all over the world with international companies – partners in the Canadian Alberta basin and companies in the lithium triangle in South America – which is great. But many of our students want to stay here, and Texas has the emerging opportunities to support that. There is a huge need for a workforce in this space. It’s about building a pipeline from UT Dallas to industry.”

Dr. David Hyndman, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) and the Francis S. and Maurine G. Johnson Distinguished University Chair, said NSM is committed to advancing geosciences as a cornerstone of critical mineral research and workforce development.

“Dr. Butler and her colleagues are leading the way in both groundbreaking research on REEs and lithium and in training students to meet the urgent demand for skilled professionals in the field,” he said. “Her work is helping prepare graduates who are not only scientifically proficient but also ready to drive innovation and sustainability in the critical minerals industry.”

Academia’s and Industry’s Combined Effort

Butler’s interdisciplinary approach is a hallmark of her work. She collaborates with chemists, engineers and materials scientists to tackle the complex challenges of mineral extraction. Exploring collaboration with BEACONS exemplifies this synergy.

“BEACONS is instrumental in connecting faculty across disciplines,” Butler said. “We need geologists to find the deposits, chemists and engineers to extract the materials, and industry partners to bring them to market. It’s a full-circle effort.”

Butler’s research is not just about discovery; it is also about impact. Hyndman said that by focusing on unconventional sources and leveraging Texas’ industrial strengths, Butler is helping position the state as a leader in the domestic critical minerals supply chain.

“Texas knows energy,” Butler said. “We’ve been producing oil and gas for decades. Now we have the chance to leverage that expertise toward critical minerals in an effort to help power the future.”

–M.E. Clary

The Cost of Critical Minerals

Dr. Kristina Butler, assistant professor of sustainable Earth systems sciences

Dr. Kristina Butler teaches a course in the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College at UT Dallas called White Gold, Green Problems, which explores the societal and environmental issues that surround the mining of critical minerals. Inspired by student discussions, Butler has integrated these perspectives into her research, emphasizing responsible and equitable resource development.

Note to journalists: Dr. Kristina Butler is available for news media interviews. Contact Amanda Siegfried, 972-883-4335, amanda.siegfried@utdallas.edu.