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Rare earth metals:
What they are, what they apply and why we request them
Rare earth elements are essential natural materials for many key technologies, from electronic products to medical equipment.
What are uncommon earth metals?
Rare earth metals are a group of 17 chemical elements including scandium, yttrium and lanthanums, ranging from lanthanum (La) to lutetium (Lu).
In practice uncommon earth metals are essential in modern technologies due to their unique magnetic, luminescent and catalytic properties. They are crucial for the production of electronics, advanced materials and medical and energy technologies.
The names of uncommon earths have different origins – from mythology to scholarly names and places.
Samar (Sm, atomic number 62) – named after Wasyl Samarski, a Russian engineer moving the mine, in which a mineral containing this component was discovered. Samar is utilized in magnets, lasers and electron capture devices.
Neodym (Nd, atomic number 60) – the name is derived from Greek neos (new) and didymos (twin). Neodym is simply a key component of supermagnets utilized in automotive and electronic industries.
Metals specified as neodymium, gadoline and dysprosium are crucial in the production of smartphones, laptops, speakers, hard drives, plasma screens and another electronic devices. For example, neodymium magnets are utilized in electrical motors and hard drives, where their advanced magnetic power is invaluable.
Neodym and samar are utilized to manufacture electrical and hybrid engines. Wind turbines besides contain uncommon earth metals, which is crucial for the production of renewable energy.
Rare earth elements are essential natural materials for many key technologies, from electronic products to medical equipment.
What are uncommon earth metals?
Rare earth metals are a group of 17 chemical elements including scandium, yttrium and lanthanums, ranging from lanthanum (La) to lutetium (Lu).
The name ‘rare’ is due to their large dispersal in the earth's crust, making their extraction hard and costly. They happen mainly in the form of oxides in minerals, and their separation requires complex chemical processes.
In practice uncommon earth metals are essential in modern technologies due to their unique magnetic, luminescent and catalytic properties. They are crucial for the production of electronics, advanced materials and medical and energy technologies.
The names of uncommon earths have different origins – from mythology to scholarly names and places.
Here are any examples:
Prazeodym (Pr, atomic number 59) – the name is derived from the Greek words pressios (green) and didymos (twin). This component is utilized in magnets, for staining glass and varnishes and as an additive for protective glasses utilized in soldering.
Samar (Sm, atomic number 62) – named after Wasyl Samarski, a Russian engineer moving the mine, in which a mineral containing this component was discovered. Samar is utilized in magnets, lasers and electron capture devices.
Neodym (Nd, atomic number 60) – the name is derived from Greek neos (new) and didymos (twin). Neodym is simply a key component of supermagnets utilized in automotive and electronic industries.
Metals specified as neodymium, gadoline and dysprosium are crucial in the production of smartphones, laptops, speakers, hard drives, plasma screens and another electronic devices. For example, neodymium magnets are utilized in electrical motors and hard drives, where their advanced magnetic power is invaluable.
Neodym and samar are utilized to manufacture electrical and hybrid engines. Wind turbines besides contain uncommon earth metals, which is crucial for the production of renewable energy.
Europ (Eu) and gadoline (Gd) are essential for medical imaging, specified as MRI and PET. Thanks to their magnetic and luminescent properties, these uncommon earth elements are perfect for producing contrast agents and medical lasers.
Neodymium supermagnets are crucial in modern technologies specified as electrical vehicles, wind turbines and consumer electronics. Thanks to their strength and efficiency, they enable the miniaturization of devices and improve their energy efficiency.
China controls around 97% of global production of uncommon earth metals.
Sources: National Geographic Poland
China controls around 97% of global production of uncommon earth metals.
Sources: National Geographic Poland
Rare Earth Metals: Applications and past of Their Discovery | National Geographic
