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Czech Scientists Develop Process That Uses Only Water To Recover Valuable Elements From Magnets, Promising To Revolutionize The Industry And Reduce Dependence On Traditional Mining.
A new method created by scientists from IOCB Prague offers a sustainable alternative for recycling rare earths. Using only water, the technique can separate metals like neodymium and dysprosium from discarded magnets. The discovery represents a cleaner, cheaper, and more strategic form of “urban mining”, crucial for the production of modern technologies.
The Czech Discovery That Could Change Urban Mining Of Rare Earths
Scientists in the Czech Republic have developed a smarter and cleaner way to recycle rare earths. These elements are critical for the manufacturing of countless products, from smartphones to wind turbines. The innovative technique efficiently extracts metals from used magnets, avoiding the use of toxic solvents common in conventional processes. With the global demand for rare earths continuously growing, the need for sustainable recovery methods has become a priority.
Magnets, Metals, And The Urgency For Less Toxic Waste
Current methods of extracting rare earths are known to be expensive, energy-intensive, and harmful to the environment. Frequently, these processes leave behind toxic and even radioactive waste. Additionally, China’s dominance in the supply chain of these elements poses geopolitical risks for Europe and North America. In this scenario, “urban mining”, recycling elements from old products, emerges as a strategic solution. The new method could play a key role in ensuring a safer domestic supply of these materials.
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How The New Process For Recovering Rare Earths Works?
The process developed at IOCB Prague addresses central issues in recycling magnets. “We’ve managed to separate the right elements for the production of new magnets”, explains Miloslav Polášek, the research leader. The team created a new type of chelator, a molecule that binds to metallic ions. This molecule specifically precipitates neodymium, while dysprosium remains dissolved in water. This allows for a clean separation of the elements. The method generates no hazardous waste and has a performance equal to or better than traditional approaches. Additionally, it can be adapted for other rare earths.
A Patented Technology And The Discovery Of A New Element
The technology has already been patented and comes at a crucial time, with the industry actively seeking cleaner alternatives. According to Milan Prášil, director of the IOCB Tech transfer company, the new technology has the potential to influence various industrial sectors.
The research also brought an unexpected revelation. It was discovered that holmium, a rare earth element not previously associated with neodymium magnets, is being used in newer electric vehicle motors. The team identified its presence while analyzing parts of European and Chinese electric cars. This discovery could reshape future recycling systems, which currently completely overlook this element.
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