1/02/2024
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a set of seventeen metallic elements that include the fifteen lanthanides on the periodic table plus scandium and yttrium. Despite their name, most are abundant in nature but are hazardous to extract. Here are some key points about rare earths and their uses:
High-Tech Devices: REEs are necessary components of more than 200 products across a wide range of applications, especially high-tech consumer products, such as cellular telephones, computer hard drives, electric and hybrid vehicles, and flat-screen monitors and televisions.
Defense Applications: Significant defense applications include electronic displays, guidance systems, lasers, and radar and sonar systems.
Industrial Processes: REEs are used in petroleum catalytic cracking and chemical catalysis.
Glass Manufacturing: REEs are used in polishing, UV absorption, refractive index improvement.
Automotive Emission Control: REEs are used in catalytic converters in cars, enabling them to run at high temperatures and playing a crucial role in the chemical reactions in the converter.
Energy Storage: REEs are used in NiMH batteries.
Visual Displays: REEs like yttrium, terbium, europium are important in making televisions and computer screens and other devices that have visual displays as they are used in making materials that give off different colours.
Please note that the effectiveness of REEs can vary depending on the specific conditions and the types of reactants present.
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Rare Earths & Uses
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1. Promethium - Promethium is a chemical element with the symbol Pm and atomic number 61. It is a rare and highly radioactive metal with no stable isotopes. Here are some of its uses:
1. Illumination: Promethium-147 is used in luminous paint, providing illumination for things like aircraft switches, clocks, and watches.
2. Batteries: Promethium can be used in nuclear batteries. These batteries convert the heat produced by the radioactive decay of promethium into electric current.
3. Research: Due to its scarcity and radioactivity, most promethium is used for research purposes.
Please note that due to its radioactivity, handling promethium should be done with extreme care. Always follow safety guidelines when working with radioactive materials.
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2. Scandium - Scandium, a silvery-white metallic d-block element, has a variety of uses. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. Alloys: Scandium is often used in aluminum-scandium alloys for aerospace industry components and sports equipment such as bicycle frames, fishing rods, golf iron shafts, and baseball bats.
2. Mercury Vapor Lamps: Scandium iodide is used in mercury vapor lamps, which are used to replicate sunlight in studios for the film and television industry.
3. Radioactive Isotopes: Scandium-46 is used in oil refineries as a tracing agent. Scandium-47 is used in PET scans.
4. Electronics: Scandium is used in electronic devices and appliances due to its resistance to corrosion and ability to withstand high temperatures.
5. Ceramics and Glass: Scandium oxide (Sc2O3) is used in the production of high-intensity lamps and in the manufacturing of certain types of glass and ceramics.
6. Research: Scandium is used in various scientific research and development activities. Semiconductors, Fuel Cells.
Please note that while scandium is not particularly toxic, it should be handled with care as it can be harmful in large amounts. Always follow safety guidelines when working with chemical elements.
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3. Yttrium - Yttrium is a chemical element with the symbol Y and atomic number 39. It is a silvery-metallic transition metal chemically similar to the lanthanides and it has often been classified as a "rare-earth element". Here are some of its uses:
1. Electronics: Yttrium is used in the production of electrodes, electrolytes, electronic filters, lasers, and superconductors.
2. Ceramics and Glass: Yttrium helps to increase the strength of aluminum and magnesium alloys. It is used in the making of microwave filters for radar and has been used in the manufacture of red phosphors for use in color television tubes.
3. Medicine: Yttrium-90 is used in medical treatments. For example, in cancer treatment, radioactive Y-90 beads can be inserted near a tumor. The high energy beta radiation damages the cancer cells at close range.
4. Energy: Yttrium is used in fuel cells and nuclear energy applications.
5. Lighting: Yttrium is used in the production of phosphors, materials that emit light when hit by electrons. These phosphors are used in making white LEDs and fluorescent lamps.
6. Metallurgy: Yttrium improves the workability and resistance to high-temperature oxidation of chromium, molybdenum, zirconium, and titanium. It is used to increase the strength of aluminum and magnesium alloys.
Please note that while yttrium is not particularly toxic, it should be handled with care as it can be harmful in large amounts. Always follow safety guidelines when working with chemical elements.
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4. Lanthanum - Lanthanum is a chemical element with the symbol La and atomic number 57. It is a soft, ductile, silvery-white metal that tarnishes slowly when exposed to air. Here are some of its uses:
1. Catalysts: Lanthanum is used in a variety of catalysts. For example, it is a component of the zeolite catalysts used in petroleum refining.
2. Glass and Optics: Lanthanum oxide is used to improve the alkali resistance of glass and to make special optical glasses. These glasses are used in camera and telescope lenses because they have a high refractive index and low dispersion.
3. Lighting: Lanthanum is used in carbon lighting applications, particularly in studio lighting and cinema projection. Batteries: Lanthanum is used in nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries, which are used in hybrid automobiles.
4. Metallurgy: Lanthanum is used in iron, steel, and magnesium production, as well as in other alloys. It is used to improve the malleability of steel and to make certain metals more resistant to corrosion and oxidation.
5. Electronics: Lanthanum is used in some electronic products, such as color televisions and fluorescent lamps.
6. Other: Ceramics, Polishing Compounds.
Please note that while lanthanum is not particularly toxic, it should be handled with care as it can be harmful in large amounts. Always follow safety guidelines when working with chemical elements.
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5. Cerium - Cerium is a chemical element with the symbol Ce. It is a silvery, ductile metal that is iron-gray in color when in commercial-grade form. Here are some of its uses:
1. Alloys: Cerium is a component of mischmetal, used in the manufacture of alloys for cigarette lighters.
2. Glass and Optics: Cerium oxide is used as a glass polishing agent, in incandescent gas mantles, and to render glass opaque to near-ultraviolet radiation.
3. Electronics: Cerium is used in low-energy light bulbs, color screen TVs, and microwave devices. It is also used in chromium plating.
4. Nuclear Reactors: Cerium is used in nuclear reactors.
5. Lasers: Cerium is used in lasers.
6. Metallurgy: Cerium is used as a stabilizer in alloys and in welding electrodes. It is also used in ceramics and as a catalyst.
7. Lighting: Cerium is extensively used in the film and television industry in carbon arc lighting for studio lighting and projector lights.
8. Other: Radiation shielding, water purifiers.
Please note that while cerium is not particularly toxic, it should be handled with care as it can be harmful in large amounts. Always follow safety guidelines when working with chemical elements.
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6. Praseodymium - Praseodymium is a chemical element with the symbol Pr and atomic number 59. It's part of the lanthanide series and is considered one of the rare-earth metals. Here are some of its uses:
1. Alloys: Praseodymium is used in a variety of alloys. The high-strength alloy it forms with magnesium is used in aircraft engines. Mischmetal, an alloy containing about 5% praseodymium, is used to make flints for cigarette lighters. Praseodymium is also used in alloys for permanent magnets.
2. Pigments: Praseodymium salts are used to color glasses, enamel, and glazes an intense and unusually clean yellow. It's also used to produce yellow and red pigments for paints, ceramics, and glass.
3. Optics: Praseodymium oxide is a component of didymium glass (along with neodymium). This glass is used in goggles used by welders and glassmakers, because it filters out the yellow light and infrared (heat) radiation.
4. Electrodes: Along with other lanthanide elements, praseodymium is used in carbon arc electrodes for studio lighting and projection.
5. Batteries: Praseodymium is also used in batteries.
6. Cryogenic Refrigerant: Praseodymium could potentially be used in cryogenic refrigerants due to its properties, but more specific information would be needed to confirm this.
7. Other: Lasers.
Please note that while praseodymium has many uses, it has no known biological role and has low toxicity.
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7. Neodymium - Neodymium has a variety of uses across different industries:
1. Magnets: Neodymium is best known for its use in the production of strong, permanent magnets (Neodymium magnets). These magnets are widely used in computer hard drives, audio speakers, electric motors, and wind turbines.
2. Glass and Ceramics: Neodymium is used to color glasses and ceramics. It can create colors ranging from pure violet through wine-red and warm gray.
3. Lasers: Neodymium is used in lasers, including those used for laser pointers, eye surgery, and cosmetic surgery.
4. Steel Production: Neodymium is used as an alloying agent with steel to produce a variant of steel that is both strong and lightweight.
5. Other: Infrared filters, rubber catalysts.
Please note that while neodymium is useful in many applications, it should be handled carefully due to its reactive nature.
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8. Samarium - Samarium is a chemical element with the symbol Sm and atomic number 62. It's a rare-earth metal that has several uses:
1. Optical Lasers: Samarium is used to dope calcium chloride crystals for use in optical lasers.
2. Magnets: It is infused with cobalt to make strong permanent magnets.
3. Infrared Absorbing Glass: Samarium is used in infrared absorbing glass.
4. Electronics: It is used in making electronic devices like headphones and stereos.
5. Nuclear Reactors: Samarium is used as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors.
6. Ceramics and Carbon Arc Lamps: Samarium is used in ceramics and carbon arc lamps.
7. Catalysts: Samarium is used in catalysts for ethanol production.
Please note that while samarium has many uses, it should be handled carefully due to its reactive nature.
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9. Europium - Europium, a rare-earth element, has several unique properties that make it useful in various industries. Here are some of its applications:
1. Electronics: Europium is widely used in the electronics industry due to its unique photoluminescence characteristics and phosphorescent qualities. It's used in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for producing blue color and in scintillators for X-ray tomography.
2. Glass Industry: Europium is used in the glass industry for different purposes. It's used in glass for fluorescent lamps due to its fluorescence properties. Europium sulphide is broadly used as a laser window material. Europium Fluoride (EuF2) is used in optical glasses.
3. Manufacturing: The conductivity and sensitivity of europium make it a popular material in the manufacturing sector. Europium (III) nitrate (Eu (NO3)3) acts as a catalyst to create a unique component used in steel manufacturing.
4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), which contain europium, are commonly used in MRI scans to enhance the visibility of blood vessels, organs, and tissues.
5. Financial Exchange: Europium is used in the euro currency as an anti-forgery measure.
6. Other: Liquid crystal displays, fluorescent lighting, nuclear control rods.
Please note that while europium has many uses, it's also important to handle it properly due to its reactive nature. Always follow safety guidelines when working with europium.
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10. Gadolinium - Gadolinium is a chemical element with the symbol Gd and atomic number 64. It has several uses:
1. Medical Imaging: Gadolinium is used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to help visualize blood vessels.
2. Neutron Radiography: Gadolinium has a high neutron absorption cross-section, making it useful in nuclear reactors and neutron radiography.
3. Data Storage: Gadolinium can be used in data storage applications due to its magnetic properties.
4. Manufacturing: Gadolinium is used in manufacturing, especially in the production of compact discs.
5. Phosphors and Electronics: Gadolinium compounds are also used in phosphors and electronics.
6. Other: Magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, memory chips, nuclear reactor shielding, steelmaking.
Please note that while gadolinium has many uses, it should be handled carefully due to its reactive nature.
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11. Terbium - Terbium has a variety of uses:
1. It is used to dope calcium fluoride, calcium tungstate, and strontium molybdate, which are all used in solid-state devices.
2. Terbium is used in low-energy lightbulbs and mercury lamps.
3. It has been used to improve the safety of medical x-rays by allowing the same quality image to be produced with a much shorter exposure time.
4. Terbium is used in high-temperature fuel cells as a crystal stabilizer.
5. In solid-state electronic devices, terbium is used as a doping agent in calcium fluoride, strontium molybdate, and calcium tungstate.
6. Terbium is chiefly used in phosphorous projection color television tubes and fluorescent lights as a high-intensity emitter of green light.
7. Terbium oxide pellets are used in thin-film applications.
8. Terbium salts are used in mercury lamps, optical coatings, and laser equipment.
9. Terbium alloys (such as Tb-Fe-Co) are widely used in magneto-optic recording films.
10. Electronic devices like actuators, sensors, and sound bug devices employ the use of terbium alloys.
11. An alloy of terbium, dysprosium, and iron is utilized to expand and contract the magnetic field.
12. Other: Green phosphors, lasers, optical computer memories, permanent magnets, fiber optics.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and new uses for Terbium are being researched and discovered regularly.
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12. Dysprosium - Dysprosium is a rare-earth element with several uses:
1. Magnets: Dysprosium is used in alloys for neodymium-based magnets because it is resistant to demagnetization at high temperatures. This property is important for magnets used in motors or generators.
2. Nuclear Control Rods: Dysprosium has a high thermal neutron absorption cross-section, making it very good at absorbing neutrons. Because of this, it is used to make the control rods that are put into nuclear reactors to absorb excess neutrons and stop fission reactions from getting out of control.
3. Data Storage: Dysprosium has applications in data storage devices, such as compact discs.
4. Lighting: Dysprosium iodide is used in Medium Source Rare Earth Lamps (MSRs). These are discharge lamps where the dysprosium iodide emits over a range of frequencies, giving a good color rendering. Sonar Systems: Dysprosium is used in Terfenol-D to make sonar sensors.
5. Semiconductors: Dysprosium phosphide (DyP) is used in laser diodes and high power as a semiconductor. Please note that while dysprosium has many uses, it should be handled carefully due to its reactive nature
6. Other: Lasers, catalysts.
Please note that while dysprosium has many uses, it should be handled carefully due to its reactive nature.
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13. Holmium - Holmium has a variety of uses across different industries:
1. Magnet Production Industry: Holmium is used in the production of the strongest artificially generated magnetic fields when placed within high-strength magnets as a magnetic pole piece.
2. Glass Industry: Holmium is used in glass and ceramics, often to change their color.
3. Optical Industry: Holmium is used in optical devices and equipment.
4. Nuclear Research: Holmium is used in nuclear research and technology.
5. Spectrometer Calibration: Holmium is used for calibrating spectrometers because its spectrum contains many sharp, well-defined lines.
6. Thin Film Coating: Holmium is used in thin-film deposition processes.
Please note that while holmium has many uses, it should be handled with care due to its rarity and potential hazards associated with its use. Always follow safety guidelines when working with holmium.
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14. Erbium - Erbium is a rare earth metal that has several applications:
1. Telecommunications: Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) are used in optical communications, such as long-distance telephone lines and the internet.
2. Medicine: Erbium is used in medical lasers for dermatological procedures, including skin resurfacing.
3. Nuclear Technology: Due to its nuclear properties, erbium is used in nuclear control rods.
4. Coloring: Erbium oxide gives a pink color and is used in glasses, porcelain, and enamel glazes.
5. Metallurgy: Alloys of erbium can be used in the production of vanadium.
Please note that while erbium has these uses, it's not commonly found in everyday consumer products due to its rarity and cost.
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15. Thulium - Thulium is used in various fields:
1. X-ray Source: Thulium, bombarded with neutrons in a nuclear reactor, is used in X-ray devices to produce the isotope Thulium-1701.
2. Lasers: Thulium is utilized as an active laser medium material in lasers.
3. Conductors: Thulium has been utilized in superconductors that operate at higher temperatures.
4. Microwaves: Natural thulium is used in manufacturing ceramic magnetic materials called ferrites, which are employed in microwave equipment.
5. Radiation Instruments: Thulium-doped calcium sulfate, due to its fluorescence property, has been used in personal radiation dosimeters for visual radiation monitoring.
6. Alloys: Thulium is used in the production of alloys with other lanthanides (rare earth metals).
7. Nuclear Study: Arc lighting and nuclear research both make use of thulium.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and there may be other uses of Thulium as well.
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16. Ytterbium - Ytterbium has several uses across different industries:
1. Telecommunications: Ytterbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) are used in optical communications, such as long-distance telephone lines and the internet.
2. Medicine: Ytterbium is used in medical lasers for dermatological procedures, including skin resurfacing.
3. Nuclear Technology: Due to its nuclear properties, ytterbium is used in nuclear control rods. Coloring: Ytterbium oxide gives a pink color and is used in glasses, porcelain, and enamel glazes.
4. Metallurgy: Alloys of ytterbium can be used in the production of vanadium. Please note that while ytterbium has these uses, it's not commonly found in everyday consumer products due to its rarity and cost.
5. Other: Infrared lasers, chemical reducing agent, rechargeable batteries, fiber optics, catalysts, scintillometers.
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17. Lutetium - Lutetium has several uses:
1. X-ray Source: When bombarded with neutrons in a nuclear reactor, Lutetium is used in X-ray devices to produce the isotope Lutetium-1701.
2. Lasers: Lutetium is utilized as an active laser medium material in lasers.
3. Conductors: Lutetium has been utilized in superconductors that operate at higher temperatures.
4. Microwaves: Natural lutetium is used in manufacturing ceramic magnetic materials called ferrites, which are employed in microwave equipment.
5. Alloys: Lutetium is used in the production of alloys with other lanthanides (rare earth metals).
6. Nuclear Study: Arc lighting and nuclear research both make use of lutetium.
7. Other: PET scan detectors, high refractive index glass, scintillometers for medical imaging, cancer therapies.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and there may be other uses of Lutetium as well.
