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Toyota's New Magnet Won't Depend on Some Key Rare-Earth Minerals

posted by martyb on Thursday March 01 2018, @09:48AM   
from the Very-attractive-idea dept.

Fnord666 writes:

Toyota says it has invented a new magnet for high-energy applications like electric motors that uses a fraction of the amount of neodymium (a rare-earth element) of a standard iron, boron, neodymium (NdFeB) magnet.

Rare-earth magnets are used in many hybrid vehicles, some all-electric vehicles, and in other applications like wind turbines and robotics.

Although "rare" is a bit of a misnomer for a material like neodymium (high demand has led to relatively high production volumes), Toyota notes that "there are concerns that shortages will develop as electrified vehicles, including hybrid and battery electric vehicles, become increasingly popular in the future." That concern is compounded by the concentration of rare-earth mining: although attempts have been made to mine rare-earth metals in the US [Ed note: paywalled] and other parts of the world, a preponderance of rare-earth mining occurs in China. That country threatened to stop exporting neodymium and other rare earths in 2011, which sent prices for the metals soaring. If China were to use rare-earth access as a geopolitical tool again, it could significantly impact companies like Toyota that depend on rare earths to build flagship products like the Prius.

The new magnet Toyota developed also uses no terbium or dysprosium, which can be added to neodymium to improve its operability at high heat, above 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit). (In fact, mining consultancy Roskill notes that few automakers use terbium in magnets anymore, though dysprosium is still commonly added to magnets with neodymium.)

Source: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/02/neodymium-more-like-neo-dont-mium-new-magnet-uses-fewer-key-rare-earths/

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Original Submission

• Re:Miining rare-earth in the US is a legal issue (Score: 5, Informative) by stretch611 on Thursday March 01 2018, @04:25PM

  by stretch611 (6199) on Thursday March 01 2018, @04:25PM (#645833)

  Rare earth elements are not rare, some are just as common as copper. However, there are major environment and health concerns associated with their mining. China has undercut the price to make it unfeasible to mine elsewhere in the world, especially in areas where more costs are associated with stricter environmental and health safety laws. They have also enacted quotas on exporting rare earths in order to give preferential treatment to Chinese companies shipping finished products made with rare-earths.

  From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_earth_element [wikipedia.org]

  Rare-earth element cerium is actually the 25th most abundant element in Earth's crust, having 68 parts per million (about as common as copper). Only the highly unstable and radioactive promethium "rare earth" is quite scarce.

  In 2017, China produced 81% of the world's rare-earth supply, mostly in Inner Mongolia, although it had only 36.7% of reserves.

  On August 29, 2014, the WTO ruled that China had broken free-trade agreements, and the WTO said in the summary of key findings that the Panel concluded that the overall effect of the foreign and domestic restrictions is to encourage domestic extraction and secure preferential use of those materials by Chinese manufacturers.

  Mining, refining, and recycling of rare earths have serious environmental consequences if not properly managed. A potential hazard could be low-level radioactive tailings resulting from the occurrence of thorium and uranium in rare-earth element ores. Improper handling of these substances can result in extensive environmental damage.

  Searches for alternative sources in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Tanzania, Greenland, and the United States are ongoing. Mines in these countries were closed when China undercut world prices in the 1990s, and it will take a few years to restart production as there are many barriers to entry.

  --
  Now with 5 covid vaccine shots/boosters altering my DNA :P

  Parent

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