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"Rare earths" are a group of 17 chemically similar
elements crucial to the manufacture of many hi-tech products. Despite
their name, most are abundant in nature but are hazardous to extract.
Most "rare earth" elements have uses in several different fields, as
well as those listed below.
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Neodymium
This is used to make powerful magnets used in loudspeakers and computer
hard drives to enable them to be smaller and more efficient. Magnets
containing neodymium are also used in green technologies such as the
manufacture of wind turbines and hybrid cars. |
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Lanthanum
This element is used in camera and telescope lenses. Compounds
containing lanthanum are used extensively in carbon lighting
applications, such as studio lighting and cinema projection. |
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Cerium
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. Lanthanum and cerium are also used in the process of refining
crude oil. |
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Praseodymium
Used to create strong metals for use in aircraft engines. Praseodymium
is also a component of a special sort of glass, used to make visors to
protect welders and glassmakers. |
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Gadolinium
Used in X-ray and MRI scanning systems, and also in television screens.
Research is also being done into its possible use in developing more
efficient refrigeration systems.
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Yttrium, terbium, europium
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. Europium is also used in making control rods in
nuclear reactors.
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