text: Smith worked on the development of technically and environmentally sound mineral and waste processing technologies. He laid the groundwork for various technical innovations, including the carbochlorination technique used in the processing of lunar anorthite. Alongside colleagues, he confirmed graphite's ability, with or without catalysts, to selectively reduce iron oxide in synthetic ilmenite, observed through isothermal weight loss over time from 850 °C to 1200 °C under argon atmosphere. Additionally, he explored reduction roasting processes using various reductants and desulfurizers to convert sulfide minerals to metallic form without sulfur dioxide emissions, capturing sulfur as either calcium sulfide or sodium sulfide.