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Revolutionary Recycling Process Cuts Emissions, Boosts Rare Earth Recovery

10/9/2025

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Summary

Story summary

James Tour of Rice University leads a new recycling process for rare earth elements used in permanent magnets.
The process uses flash Joule heating with chlorine gas, reducing steps by one-third.
It cuts energy use by 87% and greenhouse gas emissions by 84%.
From electronic waste, it recovers materials with higher concentrations than ores, supporting domestic recycling and reducing imports.

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Story summary

James Tour of Rice University leads a new recycling process for rare earth elements used in permanent magnets.
The process uses flash Joule heating with chlorine gas, reducing steps by one-third.
It cuts energy use by 87% and greenhouse gas emissions by 84%.
From electronic waste, it recovers materials with higher concentrations than ores, supporting domestic recycling and reducing imports.