"Neither are they earths, nor are they rare," yet rare earth elements are crucial for modern technology. These 17 elements, including 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium, possess unique magnetic, optical, and electrical properties. These properties make them indispensable in various applications, from smartphones to green energy technologies.
The story began in 1787 with the discovery of a black rock in Ytterby, Sweden, leading to the isolation of yttrium and seven other rare earth elements. Their 'rarity' initially referred to the difficulty in separating them. While not scarce, their dispersed nature and extraction complexities make them valuable.
Rare earth elements are vital for green energy. Their alloys create heat-resistant magnets for motors and enhance the efficiency of wind turbines. Chinese engineers utilize rare earth magnets in high-speed, energy-efficient levitation trains.
Beyond magnetism, these elements enable light emissions for lasers and color displays. Europium and terbium are used in screens, while europium also serves as an anti-counterfeiting measure in Euro banknotes. Erbium boosts signal transmission in fiber optic cables, essential for long-distance data transfer.
China dominates rare earth production due to historically lax environmental standards. This has led to severe pollution in regions like Inner Mongolia. Efforts are now focused on finding more sustainable and environmentally friendly extraction and separation methods.
Recycling is a key priority, with only 1% of rare earth elements currently recovered from discarded electronics. Research is also exploring the recovery of these metals from coal ash and mining debris. The goal is to develop sustainable and economically viable recovery processes.
As demand for rare earth elements grows with the expansion of green technologies, sustainable sourcing and recycling are paramount. These efforts aim to minimize environmental impact and ensure a responsible supply chain for these critical materials.