Articles tagged with Rare Earth Elements
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A new regenerator material composed solely of copper, iron, and aluminum can achieve cryogenic temperatures without using rare-earth metals or liquid helium. The material utilizes a special property called frustration found in magnetic materials to demonstrate practical-level performance.
A new study from the Stockholm School of Economics shows how growing rivalry between major powers is pushing firms to rethink their sourcing, production capacity, and supplier relationships. Companies are diversifying suppliers, reducing dependence on single countries for critical inputs, and relocating or duplicating production to dif...
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new way to harness the properties of tungsten carbide as a catalyst for producing valuable chemicals and fuels. The method, which involves carefully manipulating tungsten carbide particles at the nanoscale level, has shown promising results in reducing costs and increasing eff...
The University of Birmingham has launched a new facility for separating and recycling rare earth magnets, reducing the UK's reliance on imports. The facility uses an innovative hydrogen-based process that can recover over 400kg of rare earth alloy per batch.
Researchers at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf discovered new peptides with high affinity for rare earth elements, which could lead to sustainable recycling methods. The study also found that rare earth elements may have played a key role in the emergence of early life on Earth, moderating chemical reactions in prebiotic scenarios.
Researchers at AIMR discovered that Europium substitution in Cu2O catalysts allows for selective control of electrochemical CO2 reduction products. By leveraging the Eu3+/Eu2+ redox couple, they demonstrated how subtle changes in electronic structure can favor either C-C coupling or deep hydrogenation.
Critical raw materials are projected to grow from 1 million tonnes in 2022 to between 1.2 and 1.9 million tonnes by 2050. Europe can recover more of these essential materials by improving collection, design, and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
A new gas-solid separation method promises cleaner and cheaper recycling of critical elements. The technique uses flash Joule heating to extract REEs in seconds without water or acids, achieving over 90% purity and yield for REE recovery.
The University of Pittsburgh has received prestigious R&D World 100 Awards for two emerging technologies: VulcanAlloy and eMission Critical Sensor. These innovations can withstand high temperatures continuously approaching 500 degrees Celsius and identify rare earth elements in waste streams or feedstocks, respectively.
Researchers develop redox-adaptive auto-tandem catalysis using cerium to perform multiple reaction steps in a single container. This method reduces overhead and energy requirements, leading to lower costs and reduced chemical waste.
Researchers at University of California - Santa Barbara develop a new filter that can extract rare earth elements from end-of-life products like electronic waste. The technique combines solid-state extraction with precision chemistry to create a simple and environmentally attractive process, increasing the concentration of REEs fourfold.
Scientists use argon plasma to disperse and guide metal atoms to desired positions, reducing waste and maximizing the use of rare metals. The method allows for the creation of ultra-thin single-layer metal clusters with precise control over atom placement, enabling efficient catalysis in green technologies.
Researchers from UK and Canada will study ways to reduce mining's environmental footprint and enhance efficiency across critical mineral value chains. The project aims to develop new geological models and exploration tools for rare earth element deposits, aiming to diversify the supply chain and ensure high environmental standards.
A new method of separating rare earth elements from used neodymium magnets has been developed, allowing for environmentally friendly purification without organic solvents or toxic substances. The process is adaptable for other rare earths found in neodymium magnets and has the potential to influence various industrial sectors.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are developing a new method to recover rare earth elements from old electronics, such as tablets and phones, using solid-phase extraction technology. This method aims to reduce energy use, cut down on solvents, and streamline the process, making it more environmentally friendly and commercially viable.
A new study reveals that magnetar flares could be a potential source of heavy elements in the universe. By analyzing archival data and observations of magnetar flare events, researchers estimate that up to 10% of heavy elements like gold, uranium, and platinum may come from these cosmic explosions.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed an artificial membrane channel that can selectively transport middle rare earth elements, such as europium and terbium, while excluding other ions. This breakthrough could increase domestic supply and decrease reliance on costly imports.
The UTA-UT Austin team will use AI, quantum simulations, and experimental techniques to develop magnets that eliminate rare-earth elements. The researchers aim to enhance U.S. energy security and accelerate sustainable energy solutions with comparable magnetic properties.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new type of back-contact solar cell design using perovskite material and tiny grooves in plastic film. The technology enables scalable, low-cost manufacturing and avoids expensive rare earth metals, making it sustainable and affordable.
The University of Texas at Arlington is developing more efficient processes for sourcing rare earth elements needed to produce high-performance magnets. The project aims to make the mining of these critical materials more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.
New research from Macquarie University identifies the probable locations and mechanisms of accumulations of critical metals at the margins of old cores of continents. These areas have been found to contain more sulfur and copper than elsewhere on the continents, making them potential targets for future exploration activities.
The study proposes a strategy to use spinel oxides, particularly those involving rare-earth cerium substitution, to improve the oxygen evolution reaction. The team found that adding Ce promotes the lattice oxygen pathway, leading to highly active spinel oxide catalysts for electrochemical reactions.
A new study by University of Texas at Austin researchers has found a significant cache of rare Earth elements hidden inside US coal ash waste. The study estimates that there could be 11 million tons of accessible rare earth elements in the US coal ash supply, which is nearly 8 times the current domestic reserves.
A team of researchers at Argonne National Laboratory has proposed a new type of optical memory that uses quantum defects to store data. By embedding rare-earth emitters in a solid material and transferring energy between them, the researchers aim to create an ultra-high-density storage method that could potentially exceed current limits.
A new recycling process reduces environmental impact by eliminating energy-intensive methods, producing harmful waste streams. The innovative technique recovers critical metals with high purity (>95%) and yield (>85%), addressing critical metal shortages and negative environmental impacts.
Researchers have discovered that iron-rich extinct volcanoes are up to 100 times more efficient at concentrating rare earth metals than active volcanoes. This finding suggests that these ancient volcanoes could be studied for their potential to contain rare earth elements, which are crucial for renewable energy technologies.
A new visible-light antenna ligand enhances samarium-catalyzed reactions, reducing Sm usage by up to 98% and enabling mild conditions. The study provides valuable insights for developing efficient Sm-based catalysts.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created a cleaner way to separate rare-earth elements from complex mixtures. They designed sponges that selectively absorb one metal while excluding others, with the potential to improve purification processes globally.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory used X-ray absorption spectroscopy to study promethium, a rare and radioactive element. The team successfully observed promethium form chemical bonds with neighboring oxygen atoms in an aqueous solution, providing new insights into its complex chemistry.
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.
Scientists have successfully synthesized a new SmFe-based magnetic compound, exhibiting superior intrinsic magnetic properties compared to traditional NdFeB compounds. The compound's high magnetization and anisotropy field make it suitable for electric vehicle applications without the need for critical rare-earth elements.
Researchers from Tokyo Tech have discovered a material with exceptionally high proton conductivity and thermal stability, paving the way for more durable fuel cells. The new electrolyte enables fast proton diffusion and chemical stability at intermediate temperatures.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a novel method for forming bastnåsite, a crucial mineral in extracting rare earth elements. The study reveals that fluocerite can act as a 'seed' to promote the rapid formation of bastnåsite, with significant implications for efficient and cost-effective extraction methods.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin discover that eggshell waste can effectively absorb and separate rare earth elements from water, offering a new environmentally friendly method for their extraction. The innovative approach could help meet growing demand for rare earth elements while reducing environmental harm.
Scientists from the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new way to produce ammonia, an essential fertilizer and component of cleaning products, using rare-earth metals as catalysts. The process operates at ambient conditions, reducing energy consumption and promoting food security.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin unveil a deeper understanding of bastnäsite and rare earth carbonates' formation, influenced by multiple factors including temperature, time, and host grain solubility. This discovery could reshape the tech industry's reliance on rare earth elements.
Researchers have discovered concentrated rare earth elements in coal mines and adjacent formations in Utah and Colorado. The findings could enable the extraction of these critical minerals from domestic sources, supporting the transition to renewable energy.
The project aims to extract and concentrate rare earth elements from domestic coal-based acid mine drainage, producing high-purity materials for magnet and super alloy applications. The goal is to establish a 100% domestic supply chain, reducing U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers.
Researchers at RIKEN have improved the stability of a green hydrogen production process by using a custom-made catalyst, increasing its lifetime by almost 4,000 times. The breakthrough uses earth-abundant materials, making it more sustainable and potentially cost-effective for widespread industrial use.
Disposable vape sales quadrupled in the UK between 2022 and 2023, contributing to e-waste accumulation. The technology contains valuable resources like lithium, but recycling is often difficult due to lack of clear instructions. Experts call for urgent reform of disposable electronics practices to protect the environment.
Research sheds light on how concentrations of metals used in renewable energy technologies can be transported from deep within the Earth's interior mantle by low temperature, carbon-rich melts. Carbonate melts effectively dissolve and transport base metals, precious metals, and oxidised sulfur.
Chalmers University researchers create a sustainable method for extracting pure gold from scrap using biodiesel and malonamide. This process replaces toxic chemicals and fossil solvents, offering benefits for the metal industry and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers have developed a low-tech method to collect rare-earth metals from spent fluorescent bulbs, mimicking lamp components with magnetic field-controlled chromatography. The process recovered 93% of the rare-earth phosphors, paving the way for practical recycling applications and sustainable technologies.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks team is exploring whether seaweeds can absorb rare-earth elements, with the goal of expanding the US supply and finding a low-impact alternative to mining. The project aims to determine if seaweeds can accumulate metals in concentrations that make financial recovery viable.
Researchers have made a significant advancement in the synthesis of β-lactam scaffolds, structural components frequently found in essential antibiotics. The breakthrough uses nickel catalysts to overcome challenges in β-lactam synthesis, enabling more efficient and simplified production of high-value materials.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method to mix sodium with lithium in high-quality batteries, driving down costs and ensuring the supply. The technique uses a specialized technique to measure energetic stability, allowing for a more stable mixture of up to 20% sodium.
A new study by Duke University researchers reveals that the amount of toxic elements leaching out of coal ash depends largely on its nanoscale structure. The discovery highlights the complexity of coal ash as a material and emphasizes the need for closer examination of fine details within the ash to understand environmental risks.
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.
A team of scientists from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf investigated how four different fungal species interact with europium, a rare earth element. They found that fungi like the Split-Gill can bind up to four times more europium compared to other species, and that the binding site and transport mechanisms differ among them.
Scientists have found a way to produce high-performance magnets without rare earth elements, using the 'cosmic magnet' tetrataenite. The discovery could reduce reliance on China's dominant rare earth supply, supporting low-carbon technologies.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have developed a dimethyl ether-driven process for selectively separating rare earth elements and transition metals from magnet wastes. This method significantly reduces energy and product consumption compared to traditional methods.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin created synthetic rocks to study rare earth element formation. The study reveals that fluids containing REEs replace common limestone via complex reactions, shedding light on the mechanisms of rock formation and industrial separation processes.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology have developed a novel low-cost method for refining boron using ultrasonication, resulting in 95% pure MgB2 superconductors with improved magnetic properties. This breakthrough could make cheap superconductors a reality soon.
Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have achieved a breakthrough in using chromium compounds for efficient green-to-blue photon upconversion. This process can expand the use of low-energy sunlight in solar cells and photochemical reactions, reducing environmental impacts associated with rare metal extraction.
Researchers developed an AI-powered model to assess rare-earth compound stability, leveraging machine learning and high-throughput density-functional theory. This framework has far-reaching applications in materials science, including designing new compounds for clean energy technologies and optimizing magnetic properties.
Researchers have found toxic and carcinogenic contaminants in untreated fracking wastewater samples, including organic chemicals and metallic elements. The study provides critical information for regulatory agencies to fine-tune guidelines on safe treatment and disposal of fracking wastewater.
The review article discusses unconventional metal-based materials for electrocatalysis, including s-, d-, and f-block metals. It aims to accelerate research and development of novel, innovative catalyst materials for efficient green hydrogen production.
Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new extraction agent that outperforms current industry standards, enabling efficient separation of rare-earth elements. The technology uses diglycolamide ligands and can separate individual REEs in multiple stages.
Researchers created a new ultra-thin material with quantum properties emulating rare earth compounds. The material exhibits the Kondo effect, leading to macroscopically entangled state of matter producing heavy-fermion systems.
The report reveals that electronic waste generated in the region rose by 50% between 2010 and 2019, with only 3.2% collected and safely managed. The regional e-waste total jumped from 1.7 Mt to 2.5 Mt, with Russia generating the most e-waste.