Rare Earth Elements

Do you recall your high school chemistry class and the Periodic Table elements number 57 through 103? Me neither. I was relieved when WIHS’ Mr. Cesarini said we didn’t have to memorize it. These numbers represent rare earth elements that are neither rare nor earth but actually metals. They are not to be confused with the seventies rock group, Rare Earth who is remembered for “I Just Want to Celebrate”.

The July/August 2011 issue of Discover magazine which features articles concerning science, technology and the future, has an article about the use of Lanthanides (as scientists prefer to call them) in cars, baseball bats, computers and iPods. From this article we learn that China contains 36% of the world’s 110 million tons of these materials yet they produce 97% of the world’s supply.

Rare earths bring light to our world. They can absorb UV rays and emit red and green colors necessary for television sets. This occurs when the outer three electrons change energy states and release visible light. This had been predicted by Max Planck and realistically explained by Albert Einstein in 1905. The subsequent derivation of quantum mechanics made it more easily understood. The cost of europium (red) and terbium (green) went up 75 percent in the first four months of 2011 and recently surpassed silver at $ 40 per ounce. Why?

Rare earths are highly magnetic and widely used in computers, power tools and head phones. 700 pounds and a wind mill can produce 2.5 megawatts of electricity. The Toyota Prius sips gasoline but uses 25 lbs of rare earths with 20 lbs. in the battery alone. The article states that neodymium cost shot up 150 percent in the first third of 2011 and lanthanum sevenfold, to $ 60 a pound. Why?

Perhaps you recall WIHS’ and Mr. Angelo’s six week class on supply and demand? Our Chinese Communist friends did not but they understand it. Uninhibited by US EPA regulations, China has gained a near monopoly on supply.

Last year the Chinese limited exports and the price of all rare earths shot up. In April, China extended a national ban on rare-earth exploration and opening new mines to keep prices high. Since “it takes 15 years to bring a new mine on line in order to comply with multiple state and federal regulations” in the United States, we better start looking for old mines or we’ll be like Don Quixote, jousting with wind mills, not celebrating.