Posted on 11/16/2022 8:50:39 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Scientists from the University of Cambridge and their Austrian colleagues have discovered a novel method of making magnets without the use of rare earth metals, an innovation that could offer a possibility for Western countries to veer away from overly depending on China for the tech-critical materials.
Researchers found a way to produce tetrataenite, an alloy of iron and nickel, which can replace magnets made from rare earths. Tetrataenite usually forms naturally in meteorites. When meteorites cool down, the nickel and iron atoms order themselves in a specific structure, eventually ending up as a material that has properties almost similar to that of magnets made of rare earth elements. This is a process that takes millions of years.
However, the research team found a way to replicate the process in a short period of time while studying the properties of nickel-iron alloys containing small quantities of phosphorus.
By mixing nickel, iron, and phosphors in specific quantities, the formation of tetrataenite was massively sped up to the extent that the material could be formed in just a few seconds.
Rare earth magnets are critical in modern technology devices and used in MRI scanners, wind turbine generators, computer hard disks, traction motors, electric cars, and so on.
The researchers hope that they will be able to work with major magnet manufacturers on using tetrataenites as high-performance magnets.
“Rare earth deposits exist elsewhere, but the mining operations are highly disruptive. You have to extract a huge amount of material to get a small volume of rare earths,” said Lindsay Greer, who led the research, according to Phys.Org.
“Between the environmental impacts and the heavy reliance on China, there’s been an urgent search for alternative materials that do not require rare earths.”
The development of tetrataenite magnets is crucial to ending the reliance on China to produce rare earth magnets. The country alone accounts for more than 80 percent of the global supply of rare earths, giving it massive leverage in the sector.
While speaking to Epoch TV’s “China Insider” in July, Luisa Moreno, president of Defense Metals, a Vancouver-based mineral exploration company, warned that if China were to stop the export of rare earths to the United States, the American military will face a crisis.
“It’s important for governments in Canada, the United States, Europe, and others to support junior mining companies so that they can develop their projects and support the development of supply chains,” she said.
“Because if that does not happen together with the capital markets, we might end up in severe scarcity outside China for these elements.”
China’s leaders have considered limiting the sale of particular rare earths used in American fighter jets, such as the F-35, and other advanced weaponry.
The United States is taking steps to plug in such vulnerabilities, and the Pentagon has awarded contracts for developing a rare earths refinery in the country. The facility, which is being set up in Texas, is expected to begin operations by 2025.
They are going to put African children out of work, if this works and can be mass produced.
They will have to go to school or something.
I saw something about this last week.
The university publication said 6 years before they might know if it could work, another 6 - 10 after before commercial quantities might be produced.
And in the meantime the Chinese will steal the patents and put the new technology to work . . . at a deep discount.
So nowhere there does it say how strong or longlasting these new magnets are.
Another area where US outsourced stuff to China.
US has huge reserves of Rare Earths, but cannot use them, because the Environmentalist will not allow to mine them!
“By mixing nickel, iron, and phosphors in specific quantities,”
Scientist 1: Ah, very good. Nickel, check. Iron, check. And these phosphors?
Scientist 2: Yes, those are obtained from the testicles of bald eagles with a certain genetic disposition toward tetrataenite phosphore production.
Scientist 1: Right then.
China only dominates rare earths because B. Clinton shut down US production as a political favor.
Give the job to Elon Musk and he’d probably have production rolling by end of next year.
Musk might just decide to do it. Magnets are needed for the electric motors of his Tesla cars.
“6 - 10 after before commercial quantities might be produced.”
Like fusion, always 10 years away.
If we could find easier/cheaper ways to separate the elements desired, the problem would go away. It's kind of like Aluminum was in past centuries. In 1850, aluminum was more expensive per ounce than gold.
Once we discovered we could use electricity to refine aluminum the price of aluminum cratered.
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