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Study shows how EV manufacturers can reduce reliance on virgin rare earth minerals

A recent study shows that electric vehicle manufacturers can reduce their material demands by nearly 15% by adopting a circular manufacturing system decision-making model. This approach enables product design that facilitates eventual remanufacture and reuse, or recycling, resulting in production cost savings of 18.6% and overall carbo...

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Production Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 21, 2025

Amazonian mangrove forests provide nutrients for the ocean

A new study reveals that Amazonian mangrove forests release essential trace elements like neodymium into the ocean, supporting marine ecosystems and the carbon cycle. Mangroves act as biochemical reactors, releasing nutrients and metals into coastal waters.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJan 29, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Advanced chelators offer efficient and eco-friendly rare earth element recovery

A team of researchers led by UC Santa Barbara's Justin Wilson has developed a technique to purify certain rare earth elements at room temperature using optimized chelators. This new process can concentrate dysprosium by a factor of over 800, compared to less than 10 for the industry standard.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateAug 5, 2024

Tomography-based digital twins of Nd-Fe-b magnets

Scientists have developed a new approach to simulate the magnetization reversal of Nd-Fe-B magnets, shedding light on microstructural features hindering coercivity. The digital twins can guide the development of sustainable permanent magnets with ultimate performance.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2024

Critical minerals recovery from electronic waste

Researchers at PNNL have developed a simple, water-based solution to separate and purify rare earth elements from e-waste. The new process uses the unique properties of metals to form solids at different rates, resulting in nearly pure minerals recovered in hours rather than days.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalRSC Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2024

Rio Pará contributes high trace metal concentrations to the Amazon estuary

New research reveals that the Amazon estuary receives significant dissolved neodymium and hafnium from the Rio Pará River, contrary to previous assumptions about suspended solid sources. The findings indicate a revised estimate of global riverine neodymium flux, with concentrations up to three times higher than previously thought.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 31, 2023
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

12 exotic bacteria found to passively collect rare earth elements from wastewater

Scientists discovered that 12 strains of cyanobacteria can passively collect rare earth elements from wastewater through a process called biosorption. This process has great potential for the circular recovery and reuse of rare earth metals in industries such as mining, electronics, and chemicals.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2023

Rare-earth-based lasing in multiple bands simultaneously

Researchers successfully demonstrate room-temperature multiband microlasers spanning a large wavelength range using rare earth elements. The lasing process combines downshifting and upconversion, expanding the emission wavelength range. The resulting microlasers exhibit good intensity stability and are suitable for practical applications.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateAug 22, 2022

Success in efficient fabrication of high-performance neodymium magnets using machine learning

Researchers at NIMS successfully fabricated high-performance neodymium magnets using machine learning, optimizing processing conditions with limited experimental data. By leveraging active learning and Bayesian optimization, they were able to achieve better magnetic properties than conventional sintered magnets.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Salvaging rare earth elements from electronic waste

A new nanotechnology developed by Penn State researchers selectively recovers neodymium and other rare earth elements from electronic waste using plant cellulose. The process is environmentally friendly and can separate neodymium in seconds, making it a sustainable solution for recycling.

SourcePenn State·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateNov 23, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

New 'whirling' state of matter discovered in an element of the periodic table

Researchers at Radboud University and Uppsala University have discovered a new type of magnetic behavior in neodymium, where atomic spins form patterns that whirl like a helix but constantly change. This phenomenon, known as a self-induced spin glass, could pave the way for new materials for artificial intelligence.

SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalScience·DateMay 28, 2020

X-ray mapping enhances potential of lightweight magnesium

A world-first study has discovered a new technique to create stronger, lightweight magnesium alloys using atomic-resolution X-ray mapping. The finding significantly improves the structural integrity of automotive and aerospace industries by increasing the boundary pinning effect and strengthening the alloy.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 19, 2019

The complicated future of offshore wind power in the US

A new study challenges the US Department of Energy's plan to expand offshore wind power, citing supply chain issues with rare earth metals like neodymium. The researchers found that creating a domestic program could raise questions about natural resource consumption and recyclability.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalNature Sustainability·DateApr 2, 2019

Materials processing tricks enable engineers to create new laser material

Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have developed a new laser material that combines high power density, ultra-short pulses, and superior thermal shock resistance. The material is achieved through a novel materials processing strategy that dissolves high concentrations of neodymium ions into alumina crystals.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateJul 18, 2018
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Stagnation in the South Pacific

A team of researchers discovered that changes in the Antarctic Ocean facilitated long-term storage of carbon dioxide during the last ice age. The study suggests that as the climate warmed, this stored carbon was released, contributing to global warming.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 2018

Earth's first example of recycling -- its own crust!

Scientists have found evidence of Earth's first example of recycling, where its own crust was reworked and reused over 4 billion years ago. The discovery uses neodymium isotope analysis to study variations in the element's abundance, indicating that ancient rocks were compositionally similar to younger basaltic oceanic crust.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience·DateMar 16, 2017
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Spin liquid on a peak

Scientists from OIST Graduate University have modelled a spin liquid, showing disorder can co-exist with order in magnetic materials. The discovery offers exciting possibilities for new discoveries in physics and paves the way for finding real magnets in multiple states at once.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateNov 8, 2016

Flood hazards: Vermont and Colorado as case studies

Floodwaters in Vermont (2011) and Colorado (2013) highlighted the impact of downstream increases and decreases in stream power on erosion and sedimentation. The study successfully predicted river channel and floodplain responses in almost 90% of cases, revealing the potential role of downstream changes in stream power.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateOct 12, 2015

Penn research simplifies recycling of rare-earth magnets

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new method to recycle rare-earth magnets, simplifying the process and increasing efficiency. The technique uses standard laboratory equipment and can separate neodymium and dysprosium from used electronics in just minutes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateJun 18, 2015
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Counting on neodymium

An interdisciplinary team from Jülich and Aachen produced robust magnetic molecules with neodymium, enabling direct electrical readout. These molecules could replace conventional electronic components, reducing energy consumption and increasing data processing capabilities.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2013

India joined with Asia 10 million years later than previously thought

Researchers at MIT found evidence of two separate collisional events: one 50 million years ago and another 10 million years later. The team analyzed rocks from the Himalayas and discovered a new timeline for India's collision with Asia, suggesting that part of ancient India 'Greater India' was smaller than previously thought.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateFeb 6, 2013
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Critical minerals ignite geopolitical storm

The increasing demand for rare earth elements and critical minerals poses significant geopolitical challenges, threatening the global clean energy economy. The US, China, and other countries are exploring strategies to secure domestic supplies and mitigate supply risks.

SourceGeological Society of America·DateOct 10, 2011

Oldest Earth mantle reservoir discovered

Researchers found evidence for the oldest Earth mantle reservoir on Baffin Island, dating back to between 4.55 and 4.45 billion years ago. The discovery suggests an alternative to the traditional chondritic model of the Earth's composition.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateAug 11, 2010
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.