Critical minerals are indispensable in the manufacturing of a wide range of next-generation technologies, including electronics, medical devices, renewable energy, and national security applications. As the demand for critical minerals increases, unconventional resources are coming into prominence. Produced water, a significant byproduct of oil and gas extraction, has long been considered a challenge to manage due to its high salt content and potential environmental impact. As these produced waters can also contain critical minerals, increasing effort is being applied to transform once burdensome waste streams into valuable resources.This article delves into the intriguing intersec...