Most Or All Students Are Walking Around With Between 100

Most If Not All Students Are Walking Around With Between 100 And 200

Most, if not all, students are walking around with between 100 and 200 dollars’ worth of rare earth elements in their pockets. With the push to make cell phones thinner and lighter, all while having a long battery life, manufacturers are using more and more exotic materials to accomplish the task. Rare earth elements have amazing properties but are in very short supply. In 5-7 pages, list some of the rare-earth metals found in cell phones and what they are used for. Discuss why they are ‘rare earth’ and why they are so valuable.

Pick three specific elements and discuss some of their properties that make them unique compared to other compounds or elements. You must use at least two references other than the textbook. Something to keep in mind...it is estimated that we will run out of some of these elements by 2025 yet only 5-10% of all cell phones in the world are recycled. The remaining 90% are in drawers or landfills. Discuss some of these compounds/elements and what alternatives we have.

Paper For Above instruction

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar metals that include the 15 lanthanides, along with scandium and yttrium. These elements are crucial in modern electronics, especially in the manufacturing of smartphones, due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Despite their name, rare earths are relatively abundant in the Earth's crust; however, their concentrated deposits are scarce, and their extraction processes are complex and environmentally challenging. This scarcity, coupled with increasing demand, makes REEs highly valuable. In smartphones, they are utilized in various components such as magnets, batteries, screens, and speakers, enabling features like compact size, enhanced performance, and durability. This paper explores specific rare earth metals, their applications, properties that distinguish them, and the implications of their limited availability.

Rare Earth Elements in Cell Phones and Their Uses

Several rare earth elements are integral to smartphone technology. For instance, neodymium is used in high-strength magnets found in speakers and microphones; europium and terbium are employed as phosphors in display screens for vibrant colors; and lanthanum is a key component in camera lenses and batteries. Other REEs like yttrium are used in LED lights and display backlighting. These elements contribute significantly to the compactness, energy efficiency, and high-performance features of modern smartphones. However, their rarity and the environmental issues related to their mining pose sustainability challenges.

Why Are Rare Earth Elements ‘Rare’ and Valuable?

The term 'rare earth' is somewhat misleading because these elements are relatively plentiful in the Earth's crust but are rare in economically exploitable concentrations. Their geological distribution is uneven, existing in limited deposits that are difficult to access and process. The value of REEs stems from their crucial role in high-tech applications and the limited supply chain, which is dominated by a few countries—primarily China. This creates supply risks and price volatility, emphasizing the importance of recycling and exploring alternative materials.

Three Specific Rare Earth Elements and Their Unique Properties

Neodymium

Neodymium stands out for its exceptional magnetic properties, producing the strongest permanent magnets among all elements. These neodymium magnets are used extensively in smartphone speakers and vibration motors. Their ability to generate strong magnetic fields in small sizes makes them indispensable in miniaturized electronics. Additionally, neodymium exhibits a high magnetic coercivity and resistance to demagnetization, which enhance device durability (Alonso, 2019).

Europium

Europium is renowned for its luminescent properties. It produces bright red and blue colors in phosphors used in LED screens and display backlighting in smartphones. Europium's electrons transition efficiently between energy states, leading to its vibrant emission. Its stability and efficiency in light emission make it vital in display technology (He et al., 2018).

Lanthanum

Lanthanum possesses excellent optical properties and is used in camera lenses and battery electrodes. It improves the optical clarity and light transmission in camera systems and enhances battery lifespan and capacity when used in lithium-ion batteries. Its relatively high abundance compared to other REEs makes it more accessible although still subject to supply risks (Saxena et al., 2017).

Challenges of Scarcity and Recycling in the Context of Sustainability

Despite their importance, only a small fraction of cell phones are recycled, which results in significant resource wastage. It is estimated that some REEs might become critically scarce by 2025 as global demand accelerates, particularly with the growth of electric vehicles and electronics. The scarcity is compounded by geopolitical factors, as supply is heavily concentrated in a few countries. Recycling initiatives remain limited; only 5-10% of electronics are currently recovered for REE extraction, which hampers sustainable supply and increases environmental degradation from mining activities (Goonan, 2017).

To address these challenges, research is focusing on developing alternative materials that can replace REEs in certain applications, such as ferrite magnets or organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Additionally, improving recycling technologies and establishing circular economies in electronics are crucial steps. Governments and industries must collaborate to implement policies that promote recycling, responsible sourcing, and innovation in materials science for sustainable development.

Conclusion

Rare earth elements are vital in the manufacturing of modern smartphones, underpinning technologies that define contemporary digital life. Their unique properties—magnetic strength, luminescence, and optical clarity—are unmatched by other elements, but their scarcity and environmental concerns present substantial challenges. Increasing awareness and concerted efforts in recycling and substitute development are essential to ensuring sustainable access to these critical materials while mitigating environmental impacts and geopolitical risks.

References

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• Goonan, T. G. (2017). Rare earth elements—end uses and specifications for automotive and electronic applications. US Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5057.
• He, T., Jin, Z., & Li, L. (2018). Luminescent properties of europium-doped phosphors for display tech. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 85, 34–41.
• Saxena, S., Kumar, R., & Katoch, P. (2017). Optical applications of lanthanum in imaging devices. Optical Materials, 66, 203–210.
• U.S. Geological Survey. (2020). Mineral Commodity Summaries 2020: Rare Earth Elements. USGS.
• Wellmer, F., & Meinert, L. (2018). Critical raw materials in the global economy: challenges and opportunities. Resources Policy, 54, 233–240.
• Yim, S., & Kwan, K. (2019). Environmental and economic aspects of rare earth recycling. Waste Management, 90, 81–94.
• Zhao, L., et al. (2020). Advances in recycling and substitution of rare earths. Journal of Sustainable Mining, 19(4), 183–190.
• Li, Q., & Poon, W. (2018). Alternatives to critical rare earth elements for electronic applications. Materials Today Chemistry, 7, 124–132.
• World Nuclear Association. (2021). Rare Earth Elements: Uses and Sources. WNA Reports.