http://inhabitat.com/ge-developing-new-magnets-that-could-reduce-demand-for-rare-earth-metals/ Green design & eco innovation for a better world Sun, 19 May 2013 18:10:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc http://inhabitat.com/ge-developing-new-magnets-that-could-reduce-demand-for-rare-earth-metals/comment-page-1/#comment-294031 codesmith Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:58:01 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=210780#comment-294031 Lithium is not a "rare earth metal". Neodymium is. Lithium is the 25th most abundant mineral on earth, and is used widely in metal alloys, lubricants, and batteries. Neodymium is used to make permanent magnets among other things, NOT batteries. Lithium and Neodymium are both far more abundant than Lead, but are more difficult to locate and mine. Lithium can be efficiently extracted from brines. Any technology that can make more efficient use of our scarce resources is a good thing. Lithium is not a “rare earth metal”. Neodymium is. Lithium is the 25th most abundant mineral on earth, and is used widely in metal alloys, lubricants, and batteries. Neodymium is used to make permanent magnets among other things, NOT batteries. Lithium and Neodymium are both far more abundant than Lead, but are more difficult to locate and mine. Lithium can be efficiently extracted from brines. Any technology that can make more efficient use of our scarce resources is a good thing.

]]> http://inhabitat.com/ge-developing-new-magnets-that-could-reduce-demand-for-rare-earth-metals/comment-page-1/#comment-293980 lazyreader Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:11:00 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=210780#comment-293980 Good, 2 of the most used rare earths metals are lithium and neodymium. Both of which are not in sufficient supply to meet the demands for car batteries when their actually more valuable for laptops. Cheap available substitutes are needed to kick these industries into high gear. Good, 2 of the most used rare earths metals are lithium and neodymium. Both of which are not in sufficient supply to meet the demands for car batteries when their actually more valuable for laptops. Cheap available substitutes are needed to kick these industries into high gear.

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