rare earth metals Archives – The Green Optimistic

Use of ‘Conflict Materials’ Casts a Shadow on Solar Manufacturers

Mila Luleva — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 08:54:05 +0000

If you are one of these people sitting there thinking that by installing solar panels you are doing a good thing for the environment, you might actually be wrong. According to a US-based non-profit group, a great number of panels are produced using toxic materials and under unacceptable worker safety conditions. The data were collected by […]

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Rare-Earth Metals Not So Rare in Mud off the Coast of Japan, Tokyo University

Benji Jerew — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:36:38 +0000

China pretty much has a chokehold on the market for rare-earth metals, but a recent discovery off the coast of Japan could offer some competition. Because of their unique chemical properties, rare-earth metals are important in the production of electronics and even hybrid and electric vehicles. Rare-earth metals are found around the world, but they […]

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New Hydrogen Generator is More Efficient and Less Expensive

Benji Jerew — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:56:20 +0000

The basics of a fully functional hydrogen economy have to include both efficient and inexpensive hydrogen generators and fuel cells. Electrolytic cells generate hydrogen and oxygen gas from water using an electric current. They are not particularly efficient however, as the energy in the resulting hydrogen and oxygen is less than that which was used […]

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Honda Recycles Rare Earth Metals to Manufacture New Batteries

Benji Jerew — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:47:25 +0000

Honda has devised a way, the first process of its kind, to extract the rare earth metals from used batteries and other products, recycling them to be made into new batteries. Electric and hybrid electric vehicles, in themselves are, without a doubt, cleaner vehicles. In operation, they have fewer, even zero, emissions when compared to their petroleum-fueled counterparts. Lifecycle […]

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Yaskawa EV Motor – New Wire Shape Eliminates Rare-Earth Magnets

Benji Jerew — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:07:56 +0000

Some of the world’s most powerful magnets, not including electromagnets, are made from the rare-earth metals neodymium, samarium, or yttrium. As a result, rare-earth magnets are expensive, while magnets made of iron, ferrite magnets, are cheaper, but not nearly as strong. Electric motors only function because of magnetism, and can be made up of arrangements of […]

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Shortage of Rare Earth Metals Dealt by The Department of Energy

Mila Luleva — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:01:13 +0000

In order to deal with domestic shortages of rare earth metals, The Department of Energy (DOE) has established a research hub that will develop strategies and find solutions to preserve the depleting resources.The rare earth elements are 17 in total and include scandium, yttrium and the 15 lanthanides (lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, […]

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Fewer Rare Earth Metals Could Make Electric Motors Cheaper

Benji Jerew — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:54:37 +0000

The two main components of a hybrid or electric vehicle, the rechargeable battery and the electric motor, are also the most expensive. Part of the reason for the expense is, in order to make the motor as small and powerful as possible, rare earth metals are used in the process. Stronger magnets can be made […]

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The Cost of Fluorescent Lighting Continues to Increase

Mike Sandru — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:26:08 +0000

According to major lamp manufacturers, the cost of fluorescent lighting continues to grow due to the shortage of rare earth metals. The prices are expected to increase between 5 to 75 percent, depending on the following factors: lamp tube, lamp color, color mix, wattage and diameter. The price increase, which is expected to be as […]

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