Articles tagged with "rare-earth-elements"
Baker’s yeast may provide a greener way to recover rare earth elements
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a novel method using sulfated baker’s yeast (S-yeast) to recover rare earth elements and other metals such as copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead from waste solutions. This modified yeast adsorbs copper 2.3 times more effectively than previously studied phosphate-modified yeast and allows for metal desorption and reuse through hydrochloric acid treatment, enabling a recyclable recovery cycle. This approach offers a potentially scalable, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional, energy-intensive metal extraction and recycling methods. The innovation addresses critical challenges in rare earth element supply, which is currently dominated by China and vulnerable to geopolitical tensions. Efficient recovery technologies like S-yeast could reduce dependency on overseas sources, stabilize supply chains, and support the growing demand for electronics and green technologies. The research, published in Environmental Research, represents a promising step toward sustainable, cost-effective recycling of rare earth metals from electronic and industrial waste, potentially transforming e-waste into a renewable resource while mitigating environmental
materialsrare-earth-elementssustainable-recyclingmetal-recoverygreen-technologyelectronic-wastesupply-chain-sustainabilityRare earth powerhouses: Top 10 nations holding the goldmine
The article highlights the global distribution of rare earth elements (REEs), a group of 17 critical metals essential for modern technologies such as smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and military equipment. Although not truly rare, these metals are unevenly distributed worldwide, making their control strategically important. China dominates the sector, holding nearly half of the world’s known rare earth reserves at 44 million metric tons and controlling most of the production and processing infrastructure, thereby maintaining a central role in the global supply chain. Following China, Brazil holds the second-largest reserves with 21 million metric tons but has yet to fully develop its production capabilities. India ranks third with 6.9 million metric tons and is actively investing in expanding its rare earth industry, particularly leveraging its significant beach and sand mineral deposits. Australia, Russia, and Vietnam also possess substantial reserves, with ongoing efforts to boost production. The United States, despite having 1.9 million metric tons of reserves primarily at the Mountain Pass mine, remains heavily
rare-earth-elementscritical-metalsmaterials-scienceclean-energytechnology-materialsglobal-supply-chainmining-reservesFlash heating extracts rare earths from e-waste with 90% yield
Researchers at Rice University, led by James Tour and Shichen Xu, have developed an ultrafast flash Joule heating (FJH) method combined with chlorine gas to recover rare earth elements (REEs) from discarded magnets with over 90% yield and purity. This innovative technique rapidly heats materials to thousands of degrees within milliseconds, causing non-REE metals like iron and cobalt to chlorinate and vaporize first, leaving behind solid REE oxides. Unlike traditional recycling methods, which are energy-intensive and produce toxic waste, this process requires no water or acids, significantly reducing environmental impact. Life cycle assessments and techno-economic analyses demonstrate that this method cuts energy use by 87%, greenhouse gas emissions by 84%, and operating costs by 54% compared to conventional hydrometallurgical recycling. The rapid and clean recovery process enables the potential deployment of localized recycling units near e-waste collection points, minimizing shipping costs and environmental footprint. Rice University has licensed the technology to Flash Metals USA
energymaterialsrare-earth-elementsrecyclingflash-Joule-heatingsustainable-processingelectronic-wasteHow China turned submarine whisperer into deep gold-mining antenna
China has repurposed a massive submarine communication antenna system into the world’s most powerful electromagnetic exploration tool for deep mineral detection. Located in central China, this 500-kilowatt transmitter stretches over distances exceeding five times the length of New York City and broadcasts signals deep underground to locate critical resources like lithium, cobalt, rare earths, gold, and uranium. According to a recent China Geological Survey (CGS) study, China exclusively operates all ultra-high-power electromagnetic exploration systems above 100 kW, far surpassing the U.S. maximum of 30 kW. This technological edge enables China to explore the “second mineral space” — depths between 500 and 2,000 meters where traditional methods struggle due to weak ore signals and interference. China’s advanced electromagnetic methods include distributed sensor arrays and multidirectional field sources, allowing three-dimensional imaging of underground structures with greater accuracy than conventional two-dimensional models. A notable example is the Wireless Electromagnetic Method (WEM), which uses two perpendicular
energyelectromagnetic-explorationmineral-mininglithiumrare-earth-elementsChina-technologydeep-earth-imagingNew laser helps decode rare earth element samarium’s secret spectrum
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and the Helmholtz Institute Mainz have developed an advanced laser-based technique, dual-comb spectroscopy (DCS), to uncover previously unknown atomic transitions in the rare earth element samarium. This method builds on the 2005 Nobel Prize-winning optical frequency comb technology and uses two synchronized comb lasers to measure atomic spectra across a broad electromagnetic frequency range with high resolution and sensitivity. By employing multiple photodetectors to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, the team achieved ambiguity-free, high-precision measurements, enabling the detection of weak spectral signals that were previously difficult to resolve. The research revealed several new samarium absorption lines, highlighting the technique’s capability to expose hidden atomic properties. Samarium is vital for manufacturing high-performance samarium-cobalt permanent magnets used in electric vehicle motors and wind turbines, making these findings significant for both fundamental physics and applied materials science. This work also lays the foundation for “Spectroscopy 2.0,” a next-generation, massively parallel spect
materialsrare-earth-elementssamariumdual-comb-spectroscopyatomic-spectroscopypermanent-magnetsenergy-materialsNew method recovers 90% of key rare-earth elements from used magnets
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed an innovative recycling method called the selective extraction–evaporation–electrolysis (SEEE) process to recover rare-earth elements (REEs) from used magnets, particularly those containing neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy). These REEs are critical for high-performance magnets used in green technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. The SEEE process demonstrated high efficiency, recovering 96% of neodymium and 91% of dysprosium, both with purities exceeding 90%. This method offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional mining and hydrometallurgical recycling, which are often environmentally damaging or energy-intensive. The SEEE process involves three stages: selective extraction using a molten salt mixture to isolate REEs from magnet scraps; selective evaporation to remove byproducts and concentrate the rare-earth elements; and selective electrolysis to separate and recover the metals in high-purity metallic form based on their distinct electrochemical potentials. This approach not
materialsrare-earth-elementsrecyclingsustainable-technologyelectric-vehiclesgreen-technologyhigh-performance-magnetsU.S. Energy Department Supports Critical Minerals & Materials Supply Chain - CleanTechnica
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has made significant strides in bolstering the critical minerals and materials supply chains, a priority advanced under President Biden and supported by Democrats in Congress. Despite initial delays and uncertainties, the Trump administration has continued backing this sector, recognizing its importance for future technology and economic growth. Recently, the DOE issued nearly $1 billion in notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) aimed at advancing mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies across key stages of these supply chains. Key initiatives include the Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM) Accelerator program, which focuses on maturing technologies to enable domestic commercialization in areas such as rare-earth magnet supply chains, semiconductor materials, and lithium extraction. The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management plans to allocate about $250 million to pilot recovery of valuable mineral byproducts at American industrial facilities. Additionally, the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) aims to enhance domestic rare earth element (REE) supply chains by supporting
energycritical-mineralsmaterials-supply-chainrare-earth-elementsmining-technologymanufacturing-technologieslithium-extractionShould We Sacrifice The Seabed Floor For Next Generation Technology? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the environmental and ethical concerns surrounding deep sea mining, particularly in light of recent U.S. government actions promoting the practice despite international prohibitions. Deep sea mining targets polymetallic nodules on the ocean floor, which contain valuable minerals like lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements essential for modern technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, and medical devices. However, these nodules are home to unique and poorly understood marine ecosystems, including bioluminescent animals and species adapted to oxygen-minimum zones. Mining these nodules would destroy these fragile habitats, raising significant ecological concerns. The article highlights the tension between technological and economic interests and the need to protect the ocean’s last largely untouched frontier. While the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides a legal framework for ocean governance and emphasizes the protection of marine environments for present and future generations, the Trump administration has pushed forward with mining initiatives under an older
energydeep-sea-miningrare-earth-elementslithiumcobaltelectric-vehicleswind-turbinesA timeline of the US semiconductor market in 2025
The U.S. semiconductor industry in 2025 has experienced significant upheaval amid the intensifying global AI competition. Intel, under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, focused on restructuring and efficiency, canceling projects in Germany and Poland, consolidating test operations, and planning substantial layoffs of up to 20% in certain units. Intel also made key leadership hires to pivot back to an engineering-driven approach. Meanwhile, AMD expanded its AI hardware capabilities through acquisitions, including companies specializing in AI inference chips and software adaptation to compete more directly with Nvidia’s dominance. On the policy front, the Trump administration introduced an AI Action Plan emphasizing chip export controls and allied coordination, though specific restrictions remained undefined. Nvidia faced challenges due to U.S. export licensing requirements on AI chips, leading the company to exclude China-related revenue from forecasts and file applications to resume chip sales there, including launching a China-specific RTX Pro chip. The U.S. also grappled with national security concerns over AI chip sales to the UAE and
semiconductorsAI-chipsIntelNvidiachip-export-controlssemiconductor-industryrare-earth-elementsChina's rare earth dominance keeps the US in a strategic bind
The article highlights China’s strategic dominance in the rare earth supply chain, contrasting it with the United States’ focus on upstream mining and political maneuvering. While the US primarily extracts rare earth ores, China has developed a comprehensive, end-to-end supply chain encompassing efficient separation, purification, and downstream processing. This dominance did not arise overnight; it is the result of decades of technological innovation and strategic investment, particularly following breakthroughs in the 1970s that allowed China to move from exporting raw ores to producing high-purity rare earth elements at scale. A pivotal figure in this transformation was Xu Guangxian, who in 1972 introduced the “rare earth cascade extraction” method, significantly improving the efficiency and purity of rare earth separation. This innovation enabled China to industrialize rare earth refining without relying on expensive Western equipment, allowing it to surpass Japan and the US in practical refining capabilities. Subsequently, China aggressively lowered prices, outcompeting Western producers and becoming the primary global hub for rare earth processing.
materialsrare-earth-elementssupply-chainmining-technologyChina-dominanceindustrial-innovationresource-extractionNvidia’s resumption of H20 chip sales related to rare earth element trade talks
Nvidia recently reversed its June decision to halt sales of its H20 AI chip to China, filing an application to resume these sales. This move is closely linked to ongoing U.S.-China trade discussions concerning rare earth elements (REEs), such as lanthanum and cerium, which are predominantly mined in China and are essential for technologies including electric vehicle batteries. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that Nvidia’s chip sales resumption is part of broader negotiations around these critical materials, emphasizing that China will not receive Nvidia’s most advanced technology. The decision has sparked controversy, with some U.S. lawmakers, including Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, criticizing it as inconsistent with prior export control policies aimed at protecting advanced technology from foreign adversaries. However, Lutnick downplayed these concerns, assuring that the chips sold to China are not among Nvidia’s top-tier products. This development follows rumors that Nvidia was seeking ways to comply with U.S. export regulations while continuing business in China
energyrare-earth-elementsNvidiasemiconductor-chipsAI-chipstrade-talksexport-controlsApple aims to end rare earth reliance on China with $500M deal
Apple has committed $500 million in a multi-year deal with MP Materials, the only U.S.-based company that mines, processes, and manufactures rare earth materials entirely domestically. This partnership aims to reduce reliance on China for critical rare earth elements, especially neodymium magnets used in Apple devices. As part of the agreement, Apple will purchase American-made magnets from MP Materials’ expanded Independence facility in Texas, which will feature new manufacturing lines tailored for Apple products and is expected to begin global supply by 2027. The expansion will create advanced manufacturing and R&D jobs, alongside training programs to build U.S. expertise in rare earth magnet production. Additionally, Apple and MP Materials will establish a state-of-the-art rare earth recycling plant at the Mountain Pass facility in California to recover materials from electronic waste and industrial scrap, further integrating recycled rare earths into Apple’s supply chain. This initiative builds on Apple’s prior use of recycled rare earth elements since 2019 and supports its broader commitment to invest
materialsrare-earth-elementsneodymium-magnetsrecycling-technologysupply-chainadvanced-manufacturingsustainable-materialsApple commits $500M to U.S.-based rare earth recycling firm MP Materials
Apple has committed $500 million to MP Materials, the only fully integrated rare earth mining company operating in the United States, to bolster the domestic rare earth supply chain. This investment includes Apple's commitment to purchasing American-made rare earth magnets produced at MP Materials’ Fort Worth, Texas facility. The factory will focus on manufacturing neodymium magnets tailored specifically for Apple products, which will be distributed both nationally and globally to meet rising demand. Additionally, Apple and MP Materials will collaborate to establish a rare earth recycling facility in Mountain Pass, California. This plant will process recycled rare earth materials sourced from used electronics and industrial scrap for reuse in Apple devices. The partnership also aims to develop new magnet materials and processing technologies to improve magnet performance. This initiative aligns with Apple’s broader pledge to invest over $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years and builds on its history of using recycled rare earth elements in its products since 2019.
materialsrare-earth-elementsrecyclingneodymium-magnetssupply-chainApplesustainable-manufacturingBreakthrough method purifies rare earths element with just water
Scientists at IOCB Prague have developed an innovative water-only method to recycle rare earth elements, specifically neodymium and dysprosium, from discarded magnets. This breakthrough offers a cleaner, more cost-effective alternative to traditional recycling processes that rely on toxic solvents and generate hazardous waste. The new technique uses a specially designed chelator molecule that selectively precipitates neodymium while leaving dysprosium in solution, enabling efficient and environmentally friendly separation. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also holds promise for industrial-scale application, supporting sustainable “urban mining” to meet the growing global demand for rare earths critical to technologies like smartphones and wind turbines. The technology, already patented, addresses key challenges in rare earth recycling and could help reduce dependence on geopolitically sensitive supply chains dominated by China. The research team, led by Miloslav Polášek and including doctoral candidate Kelsea G. Jones, is awaiting feasibility study results to transition the method from laboratory to commercial use. Additionally, the study uncovered the
rare-earth-elementsrecyclingsustainable-materialsneodymium-magnetsgreen-technologyurban-miningclean-energy-materialsHow Minor Metals Could Cause Major Electrification Bottlenecks - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights a critical but often overlooked challenge in the global electrification transition: the supply constraints of minor or by-product metals such as indium, gallium, germanium, tellurium, selenium, and certain rare earth elements. Unlike primary metals like lithium and cobalt, whose production can be scaled more directly in response to demand, these by-product metals are produced only incidentally during the mining and refining of major metals like copper, zinc, nickel, and aluminum. This dependency means their supply is inherently tied to the extraction rates and market dynamics of unrelated primary metals, leading to unpredictable availability and price volatility that complicates strategic planning for industries reliant on these materials. Economically, the recovery of by-product metals is marginal and highly sensitive to market prices. For example, zinc refiners will only recover indium if its market price justifies the cost; otherwise, it remains in waste streams, causing intermittent shortages. This contrasts with primary metals, where steady demand typically supports sustained
energyelectrificationminor-metalssupply-chainrare-earth-elementsminingmaterialsWorld’s first EV motor temperature sensor cuts down rare earth use
energyelectric-vehiclestemperature-sensorrare-earth-elementsmotor-performancesustainabilitye-MobilityNew laser crystals boost quantum tech and cut rare earth reliance
materialslaser-technologyquantum-computingrare-earth-elementsoptical-materialsfiber-opticsenvironmental-monitoringEV makers can cut rare earth use by 15% with new design tool: Study
energymaterialselectric-vehiclescircular-economyrare-earth-elementsremanufacturingsustainabilityHồ nước thải có thể cung cấp 40 tấn đất hiếm mỗi năm
rare-earth-elementswastewater-treatmentmining-technologysustainable-resourcesenvironmental-sciencechemical-engineeringresource-extractionHồ nước thải có thể cung cấp 40 triệu tấn đất hiếm mỗi năm
rare-earth-elementswastewater-treatmentmining-technologyenvironmental-sustainabilityresource-extractionchemical-engineeringacid-mine-drainageCritical Minerals Bottleneck Unblocked By Weed (Seaweed, That Is)
critical-mineralsseaweedphytominingrare-earth-elementssustainable-energymarine-resourcesindustrial-farming