Writing Assignment For Chem 100 Spring 2018 - All Students
Writing Assignmentchem 100spring 2018most If Not All Students Are Wa
Writing assignment Chem 100 Spring 2018 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 text book. 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
The modern digital age has seen a rapid proliferation of electronic devices, especially cell phones, which have become indispensable tools for communication, entertainment, and information access. Underpinning the performance and miniaturization of these devices are rare earth elements (REEs), a group of seventeen chemically similar metals critical to many high-tech applications. This paper explores the role of rare earth metals in cell phones, elucidates what makes them “rare,” discusses three specific elements and their distinctive properties, examines the looming scarcity of these materials, and evaluates potential alternatives and recycling strategies.
Introduction
Rare earth elements include the fifteen lanthanides along with scandium and yttrium. Despite their name, conditions of concentrated deposits are not particularly rare; however, they are called “rare” because economically exploitable deposits are scarce and geographically concentrated, primarily in China, which controls over 60% of global production (US Geological Survey, 2021). The importance of REEs stems from their unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties, making them indispensable for modern electronics, renewable energy technologies, and defense systems (Goonan, 2011). As the demand for lightweight, high-performance devices grows, so does the reliance on these exotic elements.
Rare Earth Elements in Cell Phones
Various REEs are incorporated into cell phones in small quantities but serve vital roles. Neodymium and dysprosium are critical for permanent magnets used in speakers and microphones due to their exceptional magnetic strength. Lanthanum is used in camera lenses and charging cables for its optical properties and as a component in battery alloys. Cerium is employed as a polishing agent and in catalytic converters, assisting with the quality control of mineral processing and device manufacturing (U.S. Department of Energy, 2019). Yttrium appears in phosphors for display screens, enhancing brightness and color purity.
The extraction processes for REEs are environmentally challenging, involving considerable waste and potential pollution. The geopolitical concentration of supply also poses risks for manufacturing continuity and price stability. Consequently, understanding the properties, scarcity, and sustainable handling of these elements is vital for future technological development.
Why Are They “Rare” and Valuable?
Despite their name, REEs are not exceedingly rare in Earth's crust, but their economic inaccessibility due to dispersed deposits and complex extraction makes them scarce and expensive. The scarcity is compounded by geopolitical factors; China’s dominance in production and export has led to supply vulnerabilities (USGS, 2021). Additionally, the difficulty of separating and refining individual elements increases their cost.
The value of REEs lies in their unique chemical and physical properties. For example, their magnetic characteristics are essential for miniaturized electronic components, and their luminescent properties are vital for display technologies. As a result, these elements are strategic materials, influencing military, technological, and economic domains worldwide.
Three Specific Elements and Their Properties
Neodymium (Nd)
Neodymium is a lanthanide with remarkable magnetic strength, making it integral to neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets—the strongest permanent magnets commercially available. These magnets are fundamental in the micro-motors of cell phone vibrators, hard drives, and speakers. Neodymium's magnetic anisotropy and resistance to demagnetization are properties that set it apart from other metals. Its ability to produce intense magnetic fields in small volumes makes it invaluable in compact electronic devices (Gschneidner, 2014).
Yttrium (Y)
Yttrium is often categorized with the lanthanides but is chemically distinct. It is used in phosphors that enhance display screens and in alloying with other rare earths for various optical applications. Yttrium's high melting point and its ability to stabilize luminescent materials make it unique. Its chemical stability and compatibility with other materials in electronic components reduce distortion and improve performance (Luo, 2006).
Dysprosium (Dy)
Dysprosium exhibits exceptional magnetic properties, especially its ability to maintain magnetic orientation at high temperatures. This characteristic makes it critical for enhancing the coercivity of magnets used in electric motors and vibration units in phones. Dysprosium's high thermal stability and magnetic strength differentiate it from other rare earths, making it indispensable for high-performance magnetic applications (Bryan et al., 2019).
Scarcity, Recycling Challenges, and Alternatives
The projected depletion of some REEs by 2025 raises significant ecological and economic concerns. Current extraction and mining are environmentally damaging, and the recycling rate of cell phones for rare earth elements remains painfully low—estimated at only 5-10%. The majority of discarded devices end up in landfills, where the REEs are lost, representing a significant waste of resources (Harper et al., 2019).
Recycling efforts are hampered by the difficulty of extracting tiny quantities of REEs from complex electronic waste. Moreover, the lack of standardized collection infrastructure complicates large-scale recycling. Consequently, researchers and industries are exploring alternative materials, such as ferrite magnets and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), which can replace some REE applications. For instance, advancements in nanotechnology offer potential substitutes that mimic the magnetic and luminescent properties of rare earths without relying on scarce resources (Gupta & Kumar, 2020).
Furthermore, developing more sustainable extraction techniques, improving recycling methods, and reinforcing regulations for e-waste management are essential for mitigating the impending scarcity crisis.
Conclusion
Rare earth elements play a pivotal role in modern electronics, especially in the miniaturized components of cell phones. Their unique properties make them invaluable despite their scarcity and the challenges associated with their extraction and recycling. As demand continues to grow, strategic measures—including alternative materials, improved recycling, and sustainable sourcing—are vital to ensure the continued availability of these critical elements. Addressing these issues not only benefits technological advancement but also supports environmental and economic sustainability.
References
- Bryan, J., et al. (2019). "Magnetic properties of dysprosium in high-temperature permanent magnets." Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 481, 122-130.
- Goonan, T. G. (2011). "Rare earth elements—End use and recyclability." US Geological Survey Circular 1379.
- Gschneidner, K. A. (2014). "Rare earth magnetic materials." Elsevier, Handbook of Magnetic Materials.
- Gupta, M., & Kumar, N. (2020). "Sustainable alternatives to rare earth elements in electronic devices." Materials Science & Engineering C, 106, 110208.
- Harper, E., et al. (2019). "Recycling rare earth elements from electronic waste." Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 146, 60-69.
- Luo, S. (2006). "Yttrium chemistry." Progress in Solid State Chemistry, 34(2), 135-158.
- US Geological Survey. (2021). "Rare Earth Elements—Statistics and Information." Retrieved from https://www.usgs.gov
- U.S. Department of Energy. (2019). "Critical Materials Strategy." Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.