#rare earth metals

[reasonsforhope]

I'm worried about electronic waste, e-waste recycling, and such loss of resources.

That's real. For what it's worth, I think it's something we're going to get a LOT better at. The raw materials - and even partially depleted materials that can be downcycled - are too valuable to be left forever.

Tip for anyone worried about e-waste or looking to be more environmentally conscious: Whenever I have something electronic that dies (this includes batteries, power cords, string lights, and vapes), I stick it in an out-of-the-way drawer, and then once every year or two, I bring it all to either an e-waste recycling place or an e-waste disposal place (which, my understanding is most e-waste disposal places do a lot of materials reclamation as well, though if I'm wrong someone please correct me). I just look online to find a place.

Sometimes it's a bit of a drive, but it's so worth it. I encourage others to do the same!

Anyway, here's some headlines about e-waste to hopefully lift your spirits:

^That's Western Australia, not Washington state.

[mindblowingscience]

Rare earth metals are not as rare as their name suggests. However, they are indispensable for the modern economy. After all, these 17 metals are essential raw materials for digitalization and the energy transition. They are found in smartphones, computers, screens and batteries—without them, no electric motor would run and no wind turbine would turn. Because Europe is almost entirely dependent on imports from China, these raw materials are considered to be critical.

Continue Reading.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

New separation process can efficiently mine rare earth metal europium from electronic waste

Rare earth metals are not as rare as their name suggests. However, they are indispensable for the modern economy. After all, these 17 metals are essential raw materials for digitalization and the energy transition. They are found in smartphones, computers, screens and batteries—without them, no electric motor would run and no wind turbine would turn. Because Europe is almost entirely dependent on imports from China, these raw materials are considered to be critical. However, rare earth metals are also critical because of their extraction. They always occur in compound form in natural ores—but as these elements are chemically very similar, they are difficult to separate.

Read more.

[spiritheyregone]

Yttrium samples. (Wikipedia)

[plethoraworldatlas]

Scientists have developed 'supramolecular ink,' a new 3D-printable OLED (organic light-emitting diode) material made of inexpensive, Earth-abundant elements instead of costly scarce metals. The advance could enable more affordable and environmentally sustainable OLED flat-panel displays as well as 3D-printable wearable technologies and lighting

"By replacing precious metals with Earth-abundant materials, our supramolecular ink technology could be a game changer for the OLED display industry," said principal investigator Peidong Yang, a faculty senior scientist in Berkeley Lab's Materials Sciences Division and professor of chemistry and materials science and engineering at UC Berkeley. "What's even more exciting is that the technology could also extend its reach to organic printable films for the fabrication of wearable devices as well as luminescent art and sculpture," he added

[lakeeffectsnow]

I thought these were so incredibly cool. Pottery made from toxic/carcinogenic clay. The size of each vessel corresponds to the amount of toxic materials involved in the production of various consumer electronics such as a laptop or smartphone.

[anon-but-cooler]

welcome back to inedible things I wanna eat, im your host, gay idiot and here's a list of my brain at 1:30 in the morning being dumb

idk how to segue from here to the next topic so uh here's a list of funny????

alrighty at the number three spot is bismuth crystals

it looks like it holds the secrets of the universe and would taste like skittles

at number 2 we have plutonium

o r a n g e . it is unironically fucked up I can't eat this it could be fukcing like orange fanta or something like wtf why it gotta be bad?????

honorable mention, chromium. it pretty.

metal

and at the number 1 spot, yttrium

it pains me to not have this in my mouth it LOOKS LIKE?!!!!! IDK I WNAT EAT

[covenawhite66]

Located in the northern city of Kiruna, potentially significantly reducing reliance on China for electric vehicle components.

The deposit, the largest such discovery in Europe, is equivalent to more than 1 million metric tons of rare earth oxides, according to LKAB.

It maybe a significant building block for producing the critical raw materials that are absolutely crucial to enable the green transition. We face a supply problem. Without mines, there can be no electric vehicles,”

[sporadicarbiterearthquake-blog]

The Rare Earth - Thorium Link

Chapter 10:  The Rare Earth's Thorium Link

How Rare Earths are often discarded as radioactive waste and how the Thorium contained within could provide clean safe and cheap nuclear power

Currently the EPA requires that Thorium (often found in association with rare earth minerals) must be handled in a "...a very specific and costly way...".... causing rare earth mining in the United States to be "prohibitively expensive."  .... however, both the environmental and economic problems associated with rare earth mining and processing in the US might be solved ...(by Thorium extraction and utilization) because Thorium can be used in a special type of nuclear reactor which has been shown to be proliferation resistant and safer than the High Pressure Water Reactors which are based on Uranium.

While there are currently no operating Thorium reactors, in the 1960s there was a Thorium fed Liquid Fluoride Salt Reactor at Oakridge National Laboratory that operated without incident for years until it was shut down by Congress in favor of fast breeder reactors.

[infographicjournal]

Rare Earth Metals

Having trouble reading infographic here?

Check out the full size infographic at - https://allrecyclingny.com/rare-earth-metals/

[mpcomagnetics]

Soft Magnetic Composite SMC Material

Soft Magnetic Composite SMC Material In recent decades, trends in automotive and other industries have spiked demand for new magnetic materials. As a result, in the mid-1990s the very first components made from soft magnetic composite were born. And the trend of using these soft magnetic composites (SMCs) only continues to grow. Those first SMC parts were ignition cores, used extensively in most…

[trendynewsnow]

China's Intensifying Control Over Rare Minerals Supply Chain

The Growing Grip of China on Rare Minerals The vise-like control that China exerts over the mining and refining of rare minerals, essential components in today’s most advanced technologies, is set to intensify. In a series of recent developments, the Chinese government has significantly tightened the screws on foreign companies, particularly those in the semiconductor sector, making it…

[appalachianfuturism]

“Firepoint Energy Inc, a Wyoming C-Corp startup with principal offices opening in Pennsylvania and Texas, announces the discovery of more than $130 billion in rare earth minerals in waste coal samples collected from nine locations in Pennsylvania.

The test results confirmed by Conti Labs in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania prove that the waste coal samples contained dozens of critical rare earth elements (REEs), including neodymium, dysprosium, europium, lithium praseodymium, and terbium. All of these minerals have been declared to be critical to the U.S. economy and national security per the Energy Act of 2020…”

[head-post]

China bans exports of rare earth processing technologies

China banned exports of technology to extract and separate critical rare earth metals on Thursday, the country’s latest move to secure its dominance over several strategic materials.

Rare earth elements are a group of 17 metals used to produce magnets capable of converting energy into motion for use in electric cars, wind turbines and electronics. Nathan Picarsic, co-founder of the geopolitical consulting firm Horizon Advisory, stated:

This should be a clarion call that dependence on China in any part of the value chain is not sustainable.

The ban is expected to have the biggest impact on so-called “heavy rare earths,” used in electric motors, medical devices and weapons, where China has a de facto monopoly on refining.

Read more HERE

[faultfalha]

He had heard of the looming problem, the control that China had over the essential rare earth metals, and he had decided that, despite the odds, he had to try and corner the market. He quickly realised that it was an increasingly insurmountable challenge, but it didn't stop him from trying. He would go to the furthest reaches of the globe, search every obscure corner, and hunt down whatever else he could find. It was a strange, almost mystical mission, but he believed that if he was successful, he could change the future. His journey had started.

[yashvicmi01]

Rare Earth Resurgence: Trends and Forecasts in the Global Metals Market

The global metals market is currently undergoing a significant shift with the resurgence of rare earth elements (REEs) taking center stage. These elements, once considered niche components, have now become essential raw materials for various high-tech industries, including electronics, renewable energy, and defense. This resurgence is driven by several key trends that are shaping the global metals market and influencing forecasts for the future.

One of the primary drivers behind the rare earth resurgence is the rapid growth of the electronics sector. REEs are integral to the production of smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets, as they are essential for creating compact and efficient components. Additionally, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy technologies, such as wind turbines and solar panels, has further fueled the demand for rare earth metals. Neodymium and dysprosium, for instance, are critical for manufacturing high-performance magnets used in EV motors and wind turbine generators.

Global Rare Earth Metals Market was valued at US$ 4710.8 Million in 2021 in terms of revenue, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.24 % during the forecast period (2022 to 2030).

Another trend contributing to the rare earth resurgence is the geopolitical factor. China has historically dominated the rare earth production market, controlling a significant portion of global supply. However, concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions have prompted countries and industries to seek alternative sources and increase domestic production of these vital metals. This diversification strategy aims to reduce dependence on a single source and ensure a stable supply for strategic industries.

In response to these trends, there is a notable increase in exploration and mining activities for Rare Earth Metals Marketelements outside of China. Countries with known rare earth deposits, such as Australia, the United States, Canada, and some African nations, are ramping up efforts to develop their own production capabilities. Furthermore, recycling initiatives are gaining traction as a means to mitigate supply shortages and reduce environmental impact, given the complex and resource-intensive nature of rare earth extraction.

Forecasts for the global metals market indicate continued growth in demand for rare earth elements in the coming years. As technology continues to evolve and industries become more reliant on advanced materials, the importance of REEs is expected to rise. However, challenges such as environmental concerns, regulatory hurdles, and fluctuating market prices remain factors that could impact the trajectory of the rare earth resurgence.

The rare earth resurgence is reshaping the global metals market, driven by trends like the rapid expansion of high-tech industries, geopolitical considerations, and efforts to diversify supply chains. The demand for these elements, crucial to modern technologies, underscores the need for sustainable and strategic approaches to their extraction, production, and recycling. As the world strives for a greener and technologically advanced future, the role of rare earth elements is set to become increasingly pivotal.