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Revolutionary Method Extracts Rare Earths with Minimal Impact

10/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Rice University researchers report a rapid flash Joule heating (FJH) method in chlorine gas.
It extracts rare earth elements from used magnets with no water or acids.
The process yields over 90% purity and yield, and cuts energy use by 87% and emissions by 84%.
Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), it supports U.S. domestic-resource goals.

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Story summary

Rice University researchers report a rapid flash Joule heating (FJH) method in chlorine gas.
It extracts rare earth elements from used magnets with no water or acids.
The process yields over 90% purity and yield, and cuts energy use by 87% and emissions by 84%.
Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), it supports U.S. domestic-resource goals.