| Science and Technology *The Luminescence of Zr - Eu - O - N Powders *New Yb Phase *R&D 100 Awards *Sc2N@C80 *SmCo6.75-x Fex Zr0.25 Compounds *Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Reviews Industry *Industry News *Moltech Power Systems RIC Conferences |
|Science and
Technology| |Reviews| |People| |Industry| |RIC| |Conferences|
|Conference Calendar| |Supporters| March 1, 2000 Vol. XXXV, No.1 Search of the Month The sample search below satisfies a request for information on rare earths perovskite compounds that exhibit magnetoresistivity. RIC searches utilize the Boolean operand system with "+" = (or), "*" = (and), and "* ^" = (and not). Many more citations would have been referenced had we included specific compound/alloys.
==================================================== RARE-EARTH INFORMATION CENTER LITERATURE SEARCH REPORTLaser Ablation of Nd-Fe-B ==================================================== ( ND2FE14B + (ND,B,FE) ) * LASER#
******** 10 DOCUMENTS HAVE SATISFIED THIS REQUEST ******* The above Literature Search Report shows the key words used in the search, the number of times each appears in the data base, and that 10 documents that contain information on laser ablation in Nd-Fe-B alloys were ref-erenced in the search. More papers can be referenced by requesting specific compounds. The cost to receive the Literature Search List from this search, which is a complete listing of all 10 referenced documents, is available for US$50.00. Supporters can receive as many searches as needed for US$300.00 per year (corporate) or US$100.00 (individual). As an added benefit, supporters receive the 2-page monthly newsletter RIC Insight that reports on late-breaking news of rare earths and how these developments may impact the rare earth industry. If you would like us to conduct a search for you, please send your request to: Dr. R. William McCallum, RIC, 106 Wilhelm Hall, Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3020 USA; Tel: 515 294 4736; Fax: 515 294 3709; ric@ameslab.gov. The Luminescence of Zr - Eu - O - N PowdersIn the last two years a group of scientists from the University of Würzburg, Germany and the University of Sofia, Bulgaria for the first time has prepared Zr - Eu - O - N ceramic powders with an europium content between 0.67 and 6 mol % and a nitrogen content between 0.67 and 3 mol %. The oxidation number of Eu is III as indicated by ESR measurements. The Zr - Eu - O - N ceramic powders prepared show a red Eu(III) luminescence with a t 1/e lifetime varying from 0.3 to 1.40 ms at 535 nm room temperature excitation and 615 nm monitoring. The powder reflectance at 615 nm is varying from 50 % to 65 %. The Zr - Eu - O - N powders are prepared using direct nitridation (see M. Lerch, J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 79 (1996) 2641 - 44) of ZrO2:Eu(III) at 1600 - 1900oC and a subsequent reheating at 600oC. Our luminescence measurements clearly showed that little amounts of nitrogen dramatically affect optical properties like color, reflectance, emission and luminescence lifetime of rare earth doped oxides. Additionally, using the Eu(III) luminescence as a monitor, we found that the nitrogen incorporation in ZrO2:Eu favors the formation of non-centrosymmetrical Eu(III) luminescent centers. The basic result of above summarized investigations, sponsored by the A. von Humboldt Stiftung (Germany) are to be published in a paper "The luminescence of Zr - Eu - O - N materials" in Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids (2000) under the authorship of S. Gutrzov, M. Kohls , M. Lerch. For more information contact: S. Gutzov, University of Sofia, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Physical Chemistry, 1. J.Bourchier Blvd., 1126 Sofia, Bulgaria; sgutzov@chem.uni-sofia.bg. Dr. S. Gutzov A computer code for the electronic structure calculations of f -elements is available for free download at http://chemistry.anl.gov/spectra/. Feedback should be sent to Dr. Victor Zhorin, Chemistry Division, M151, B.200, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439 USA; Tel: 630 252 7394; zhorin@anl.gov. The first isolated fullerene that encapsulates a four-atom cluster was discovered by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University {C&EN, 77, [38] 54-5 (1999)}. The interest in the research was prompted by the resulting spectral peak of an unidentified substance when scandium-containing fullerenes were produced in an electric-arc reactor. In the procedure, Sc2O3 was packed into two graphite rods and arc-vaporized under a helium atmosphere, which produces fullerenes that hold one, two, or three Sc atoms inside a variety of carbon cages. The small amounts of endohedral metallofullerenes produced such as Sc2@C84 and Sc3@C82 are easily identified by their mass spectral peaks. However, a unique peak appeared that was eventually identified as a scandium-nitride fullerene, Sc3N@C80. The initially unwanted nitrogen atom may have been introduced via an air leak in the system, but nitrogen was later added as a key ingredient to produce the new molecule. According to the lead scientist, Harry C. Dorn, the x-ray structure of the new molecule resembles a "whirling Mercedes-Benz emblem inside a ball" and is believed to be the first isolated fullerene that encapsulates a four-atom cluster. Sc3N@C80 is unique from other endohedral fullerenes since its three central Sc atoms are not only bound to the central N atom of the Y-shaped cluster, but to some C atoms of the cage. This may be because each of the Sc atoms is within bonding distance of two C cage atoms, but the exact mechanism of the Sc-C relationship is unclear. The trimetallic cluster appears to whirl around the carbon cage, but at 130 K it appears at a fixed location. They also demonstrated that other metals besides Scandium combine with nitrogen to form trimetallic nitride clusters. When graphite rods were packed with a mixture of Sc2O3 and Er2O3 and vaporized in the presence of nitrogen, C80 cages were produced that had a variety of trimetallic nitride clusters such as Sc3N, ErSc2N, Er2ScN, and Er3N. The problem in identifying these compounds previously is that they were not produced in significant quantities so as to studied since metallofullerenes typically contain <0.5% of the soluble products and usually are produced as a mixture of several carbon-cage isomers. However, for example, Dorns group was able to produce a yield of between 5 10% Sc3N@C80 of the soluble products, and only a single carbon-cage isomer (icosahedral C80) is observed. The group now has optimized the preparation process by chromatography to produce 99.9% pure material and enough can be made for detailed studies. By controlling the metals encapsulated in the cage, engineers can control physical, optical, and magnetic properties of the fullerenes, which may allow these new materials find applications in semiconductor devices, optical limiters, and quantum computing devices. In addition, they have potential as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging and as radioactive tracers. For more information, contact Harry C. Dorn, Virginia Tech, 1109 Hahn Hall, Chemistry Dept., Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA; Tel: 540 231 5953; hdorn@vt.edu. A new phase of Ytterbium metal that is stable up to 400 K has been reported by E. Weschke, et al. Institut für Experimentalphysik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, D-14195 Berlin-Dahlem, Germany {Phys. Rev. Lett., 83, [3] 584-7 (1999)}. The Yb metal sample was prepared by epitaxial growth at low temperature (below 190 K) and formed into 100 Å-thick films. The new phase is stable over a temperature range of between 35 and 400 K and is characterized by a smaller lattice parameter than b -Yb while possessing a different 4f -electronic structure. The researchers prepared the Yb metal films under ultrahigh vacuum conditions with base pressures of <1 x 10-10 mbar, with a maximum of ~5 x 10-10 mbar during evaporation. The starting material was 99.99% Yb that was evaporated from a radiatively heated tantalum crucible onto a tungsten substrate. It was then cooled with a closed-cycle helium refrigerator in x-ray diffraction, and a continuous flow cryostat under photoemission. In order to improve the crystal structure of the films, they were briefly annealed to 400 K. As determined by x-ray diffraction in situ, the spacing between close-packed layers is reduced by ~0.6% as compared to fcc phase b -Yb. This corresponds to lower 4f binding energy, which they observed via photoemission. However, when the Yb film growth is conducted at room temperature, b -like Yb films resulted. The authors suggest that this new fcc phase and b -Yb appear to resemble the relationship in the isostructural g - a phase transition in Ce metal. This new phase is not believed to be the hcp a phase of Yb since it does not have the related expanded lattice. They do not explain if this new phase is characterized by an increased 4f hybridization with valence states, or by a change in the 4f level alone, such as in a change in 5d-6s hybridization. The answer may be found through further research to determine 4f occupation in Yb. SmCo6.75-x Fex Zr0.25 Compounds Bulk alloys of SmCo6.75-xFexZr0.25, where x = 0, 0.27, 0.41, and 0.54 were prepared by arc melting by a group led by D.J. Sellmyer, Behlen Laboratory of Physics and Center for Materials Research and Analysis, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0111 USA; cmra@unlinfo.unl.edu {J. Alloys and Compounds, 298, 295-8 (2000)}. These permanent magnet compounds were shown to form in the hexagonal TbCu7-type structure for x < 0.67, but not for x > 0.67. Lattice parameters (a and c) were dependent on the iron concentration and the unit cell volume increases with x, which is due to the larger atomic volume of Fe. The magnetically aligned samples exhibit uniaxial anisotropy, and the magnetization increases with x at 298 K and 5 K. Curie temp was found to be 770°C for all values of x. The improved magnetic properties of these compounds are important for the development of permanent magnet materials. High Temperature Sm-Co Magnets Electron Energy Corporation (EEC) and the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, USA, announce a new class of SmCo 2:17 magnets for applications requiring high temperature performance up to 550°C (see also RIC News, XXXIV, [4] 5 (1999). These magnets have low temperature coefficients of iHc and a straight-line induction demagnetization curve up to 550°C. A straight-line demagnetization curve provides greater design flexibility and facilitates reduced size and weight of magnetic circuits. The straight-line curves are typical requirements for magnets used in dynamic applications. The maximum operating temperature for the magnet, TM, is defined as the maximum temperature at which a straight-line demagnetization curve can exist. Discreet magnet compositions are available for TM at any temperature in the range of 250°C to 550°C. This control of magnet compositions provides the best combination of highest possible (BH)max and a linear demagnetization curve for each high temperature application. Investigations on the thermal stability of these materials at 300°C to 550°C shows that these high-temperature magnets, properly coated, will be suitable for use at high temperatures for long-term service. Details and information will be presented in Intermag 2000 papers DD-06 and AB-02. For additional information, contact: Electron Energy Corporation, 924 Links Avenue, Landisville, PA 17538 USA; Tel: 800 463 1869 / 717 898 2294; Fax: 717 898 0660; eec@electronenergy.com; www.electronenergy.com or John Durie (Scotland), Tel: 44 1 555 770 787. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) use hydrocarbons to generate electricity by oxidizing methane or alcohol via an electrochemical cell. Their advantage is decreased noxious nitrogen oxides (NOx) and CO2 emissions as compared with combustion of fossil fuels. They also offer efficient small-scale electrical plants that can operate for a local customer base. Fuel cells that can operate efficiently in the temperature range 300°C - 400°C have additional benefit of SOFC operation at higher temperatures because there is less degradation from steam, and carbon deposits on the electrodes. Doped (La0.8Ca0.2)CrO3 (LCC) and doped Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (CGO) appear to be promising candidates for fuel cells that operate at these lower temperatures. In tests, LCC powder was able to convert methane in a temperature-dependent relationship. CH4 is efficiently oxidized directly to CO2 and water at temperatures approaching 400°C, while carbon deposition occurred on the oxide catalyst as CH4 is reformed to H2 and CO as temperatures approach 800°C. LCC electrode materials are attractive because of their wide thermodynamic stability range and known applications as electrical conductors between fuel cells, and catalytic characteristics of CGO have been well known for some time {Nature, 400, 619-21 (1999) www.nature.com}. Both of these rare earth materials have good catalytic activity for methane oxidation, the former oxidizes methane to CO2 and H2O at ~400°C, and the reaction with CGO occurs at ~300°C. When the reaction takes place with an excess of methane, carbon deposits that form on the electrode can be easily removed with the introduction of oxygen. Cerium-based catalysts such as CGO and CeO2 ZrO2 used in automobile catalytic converters promote the reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+, which improves oxygen exchange processes and related catalytic reactions. Oxide electrodes instead of composite nickel-ceramic anodes are advantageous in that they are able to produce direct electrochemical oxidation of methane. However, a single-phase oxide material that meets all catalytic criteria at intermediate temperatures has not yet been discovered. A composite anode, doped with CeO2 and mixed with another oxide that exhibits good electrical conductivity, could replace nickel composite anodes and increase efficiency and fuel cell operating lifetimes. For more information, contact Brian C. H. Steele, Dept. Materials, Prince Consort Road, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK; b.steele@ic.ac.uk. Analytical techniques reveal that Scandium and Yttrium are present in plant and animal living tissues in the few species that have been studied so far. This knowledge may have far-reaching implications for researchers in the biological and environmental fields. Biochemistry of Scandium and Yttrium is published as a two part series, Part 1: Physical and Chemical Fundamentals presents a comparative study of the physical and chemical properties of both Sc and Y, addressing both their similarities and differences. It also discusses the interactions of Scandium and Yttrium with biological molecules such as organic acids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleotides, and other biologically active molecular species. Part 2 will specifically address the biochemical aspects of these two elements, as well as various medical and environmental implications. The book contains six chapters: "History of Yttrium and Scandium" provides a concise background of these elements and is a welcome 20-page preface to this two-part series. Chapter 2 "Chemical and Physical Properties of Scandium and Yttrium" relates the electronic configurations, bonding and coordination chemistry, isotopes, and other chemical and physical aspects of these elements. The next chapter is essential to those interested in a description of the analytical techniques involved in determining the qualitative and quantitative constituents of Sc and Y-containing materials. The next three chapters deal with the occurrence of these elements in nature, including organisms and molecules of biological interest. Improved analytical techniques indicate that Sc and Y accumulate in marine algae, sponges, lichens, mosses, ferns, and trees. The major aspects of Scandium and Yttrium in science, technology, and medicine should be interesting to geochemists, inorganic and organic chemists, clinical biochemists, and those involved in environmental health and protection. Biochemistry of Scandium and Yttrium, Parts 1 and 2 are Volumes 13A and 13B of the Biochemistry of the Elements series published by Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers. The 324-page hardcover book was published in 1999 and is available for US$175.00 by contacting the publishers at 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013-1578 USA; Tel: 212 620 8000; Fax: 212 463 0742; kluwer@wkap.com. Handbook of Magnetic Materials Vol. 12 The Handbook of Magnetic Materials is a continuation of the Handbook of Ferromagnetic Materials series started by Peter Wohlfarth in 1980. Now edited by K.H.J. Buschow, the Magnetic Materials series is intended to be of assistance to those needing an introduction to a given topic in the field of magnetism without the need to review a vast amount of published literature. It also serves the needs of research scientists as a reference book that provides basic information on the current state of magnetism and magnetic materials. Volume 12 consists of four chapters. The first chapter "Giant Magnetoresistance in Magnetic Multilayers" which focuses on giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in magnetic multilayers, spin valves, multilayers on grooved substrates and multilayered nanowires. It also is comprised of theoretical models which examines the experimental data to explain the underlying physics of GMR. Chapter two reviews the results obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) on thin magnetic films and superlattices. It is written for scientists who are familiar with the preparation and properties of thin magnetic films but are looking for additional information on the NMR of ferromagnetic materials. Chapter three "Formation of 3d-Moments and Spin Fluctuations in Some Rare-Earth-Cobalt Compounds" examines rare earth compounds with 3d transition metals, in particular those that exhibit a magnetic instability of the 3d subsystem. It focuses on such compounds in which the 3d electron subsystem is neither nonmagnetic, nor carries a stable magnetic moment. Attention is focused on the Co-based Laves phase compounds such as RCo2, and with nonmagnetic rare earths such as YCo2, LuCo2, and ScCo2. Other compounds covered are Y(Co,Al)2, (Er, Lu)Co2, and other (R,R)Co2 compounds, and temperature and pressure effects on resistivity of ErCo2. The last chapter deals with the magnetocaloric effect of Gd5(Ge,Si)4, and other rare earth metals, oxides, and intermetallic compounds. The 586-page hardcover book was published in 1999 and is available for US$215.00 from Elsevier Science B.V., P.O. Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Tel: 31 20 485 2603; Fax: 31 20 485 2425; www.elsevier.nl; in the USA, Elsevier Science Inc., P.O. Box 945, Madison Square Station, New York, NY 10160-0757 USA. Proceedings of the International Conference on Rare Earths, held in Freemantle, Western Australia, October 25 30, 1998 is published as the 624-page book Rare Earths 98. The conference was host to 175 delegates, of which 141 were from foreign countries. The conference contains contributions covering the topics of photophysics, luminescence, and spectroscopy, magnetic materials, nuclear medicine therapy, minerals and materials characterization, coordination chemistry, extraction and coordination chemistry, agricultural applications, rare earth marketing, and new applications. The proceedings contain 80 interesting contributions that cover a wide range of topics, such as - occurrence and effect of rare earths in agricultural soils and that there is no beneficial effect that rare earths have on increasing agricultural plant production; preparation of 20-200 nm particle size Ce2S3 powders; the production of rare earth polishing powders in Russia, and the recovery of rare earths from used polishing compounds; Chinas rare earth industry (including production and consumption figures); 166Ho(NO3)3 therapy for malignant and benign tumors; acid curing of bastnasite ore and concentrate; magnetization of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet materials; and several papers that deal with the ultraviolet absorption of rare earth compounds. The book also contains important research on luminescent materials and the crystal growth of rare earth vanadates and phosphates as well as rare earth coordination compounds. The 608-page soft cover Rare Earths 98, edited by R.C. Woodward and published in 1999 and is available for US$238.00 by contacting: Trans Tech Publications Ltd., Brandrain 6, CH-8707 Uetikon A.S., Switzerland; Fax: 41 1 922 10 33; ttp@ttp.net. Changzhou Jiangfei Rare Earth Co., Ltd. Changzhou Jiangfei Rare Earth Co., Ltd. was established in 1996 and specialized in the separation and production of rare earth oxides. Today, the company produces high-purity rare earth oxides and REO coprecipitation products that are used in activator, catalysts, additives, automotive catalytic converters, pigments and glass colorants, CRT phosphors, atomic absorption materials, hydrogen storage alloys and permanent magnet materials. For more information, contact the company: Xinghua Bridge, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213144, People's Republic of China; Tel: 86 0519 3632377/13901508187; Fax: 86 0519 3632377; jfgs1234@pub.cz.jsinfo.net; www.jf-re.com. Moltech Corporation purchased Energizer Power Systems (EPS) from Eveready Battery Company on November 1, 1999. The acquisition will allow the combination of strengths from two companies and creates a new rechargeable battery company. Moltech Corporation, a Tucson, Arizona-based high technology company, has formed Moltech Power Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Moltech Corporation. Moltech President and COO, Deward Manzer, will serve as Chairman of Moltech Power Systems. Joe Fisher, formerly the Vice President and General Manager of Energizer Power Systems, has been named President of Moltech Power Systems. Ralston Purina announced its plans to exit the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) rechargeable battery business last April. On September 28, 1999 it was announced that Moltech had signed a definitive agreement to purchase Energizer Power Systems. The new venture combines Moltechs lithium-sulfur and EPSs nickel products, along with EPSs global assembly, sales and distribution network. According to Fisher, the company name has changed, but all other aspects of EPS including its relationships with customers and vendors will remain the same. Moltech Corporation was founded in 1988 as a spin-off from Brookhaven National Laboratory. In addition to its own scientists, Moltech has collaborative agreements with a number of top research organizations around the world. Moltech is a leading developer of a new generation of advanced lithium batteries for portable electronic devices. The company also produces nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries for world markets. Moltech Power Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Moltech Corporation. Headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, the company focuses on providing rechargeable power solutions to device manufacturers worldwide. Moltech Power Systems has design, engineering, assembly and sales operations in North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe. For more information, contact Moltech Power Systems, P.O. Box 147114, Gainesville, FL 32614 USA; Tel: 904 462 3911; Fax: 904 462 4726; www.moltechpower.com. Electron Energy Corporation (EEC) has added a new line of polymer-bonded rare earth permanent magnets that offer the advantages of weight, size, price, and size, for a number of applications. EEC has developed a manufacturing process that bonds rare earth metallic powder with polymers. The new polymer-bonded magnets complement the companys line of rare earth sintered magnets. Ted Haberberger, Vice-President New Products, Electron Energy Corporation, 924 Links Avenue, Landisville, PA 17358 USA; Tel: 717 898 2294; Fax: 717 898 0660; magnetenergy@earthlink.net. Indian Rare Earths Ltd. announces that V.K. Verma has been promoted to Director(Marketing) effective November 8th, 1999. The company offers a wide range of rare earth concentrates, oxides, and compounds. Indian Rare Earths Ltd., Sherbanoo, 6th Floor, 111, Maharshi Karve Road, Mumbai-400 020, India; Tel: 91 206 26 51; Fax: 91 200 44 30. JXMEC (Shenzen) Enterprise Development Company, F/20F, Caihong Building, Caitian South Road, Futian District, Shenzen 518026, Peoples Republic of China; Tel: 86 755 2715255; Fax: 86 755 2174925; szjxmec@public.szptt.net.cn specializes in Rare Earth Oxide, Rare Earth Metal and Rare Earth Compounds. To appear in our Consultants Corner, any individual, company, or group must be involved in rare earth or rare earth-related consulting activities. Just send us the appropriate information: contact name, company name, mailing address, Tel/Fax number(s), e-mail and web address, and areas of expertise. Paderno Yuriy: Institute for Problems of Materials Science of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, rare Earth Refractory Compound Laboratory, 3 Krzhyzhanovsky Str., 03142 Kiev, Ukraine; Tel: 380 44 444 13 67; Fax: 380 44 444 21 31; paderno@ipms.kiev.us Areas of expertise: rare earth boride compounds and boride materials, synthesis, single crystal growth, directional crystallization, electron structure and properties investigations. Peter Melnikov: Federal University of Mato Grasso do Sul State, Physics Department, CEP 79070-900, Campo Grande, Brazil; Tel: 55 67 787 1290; Fax: 55 67 787 1290; petrmelnikov@yahoo.com; pedrom@iq.unesp.br. Areas of Expertise: high purity rare earth phosphates and arsenates. Sinko Resources, Inc.: David W. Sinclair, 444 Park Avenue South, Suite 602, New York, NY 10016 USA; Tel: 212 545 0450; Fax: 212 545 0457; sinko@worldnet.att.net. Areas of expertise: marketing, supplies, developing, and processing of rare earth and related minor metals and chemicals for alloying, reduction and manufacturing. University of Liverpool: Dr. Helen Aspinall, Department of Chemistry, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD UK; Tel: 44 151 794 3528; Fax: 44 151 794 3588; hca@liv.ac.uk; http://int.ch.liv.ac.uk/Lanthanide/Lanthanides.html. Areas of expertise: coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry, lanthanide alkoxides, amides, thiolates, ligand synthesis, applications of lanthanide complexes to homogenous catalysis, asymmetric synthesis and catalysis. Christopher Gross, 6998 McArthur Road, Canyon, Minnesota 55717 USA; Tel: 218 345 8892; mslk1@uslink.net. Areas of exptertise: Analysis of Rare Earths, superalloys, superconductors and superconducting compounds. Oxymitter 4000 is the worlds only sulfur-resistant oxygen sensor for automatic combustion control. It has proven to last 40 times longer than traditional Pt-Zr sensors when operating in a high-temperature environment. Traditional oxygen sensors use electrochemical cells that contain Pt electrodes that corrode rapidly in these adverse environments. Oxymitter 4000 uses a chemical modified Tb-YSZ refractory ceramic that resists corrosion from hot sulfur gases, which eliminates the need to frequently replace or calibrate sensors. Ce ion-doped glass fibers that also contain lithium-6 atoms can detect presence of radionuclides such as plutonium. The detector operates when neutrons react with the lithium isotope to leave an ionization trail through the glass matrix, causing the Ce ion to emit light. Each fiber can detect from as little as one, to millions of neutrons and gamma rays per second. This new technology will allow cost reductions in neutron detectors for specialized applications because of reduced cost. See R&D Magazine, 41, [10] p. 127 and p. 159 (1999); www.rdmag.com. The total number of documents referenced in our system is now over 100,000. The documents are stored as citations in the RIC data base and represent books, journal articles, government, company, and laboratory reports, patents, theses, journal articles metals, their alloys and compounds. A typical citation from a search contains the author(s) name(s), title of paper or contribution, reference line, and keywords that we have assigned to the citation after we have reviewed the document (see below). 200001120
Magnetic and structural properties of SmCo6.75-x
Fex Zr0.25 compounds
The minimum cost to receive the results of a computer search is US$50.00 (for 25 citations and US$2.00 for each citation over 25 per search). However, many organizations become supporters which allows them to not only receive as many searches as needed for one year, but as an added benefit, they receive the monthly two-page newsletter RIC Insight. RIC Insight provides a provocative view into recent developments of rare earth science and technology and how these may impact the rare earth industry. The cost to become a supporter is US$100.00 for an individual, or US$300.00 for a corporate membership. Send requests to: Rare-earth Information Center, 112 Wilhelm Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3020 USA; Tel: 515 294 5405; Fax: 515 294 3709; ric@ameslab.gov; www.external.ameslab.gov/ric E-mail SubscriptionReceive the RIC News by email. Just let us known: RIC@ameslab.gov Polymer Bonded Magnets 2000Intertechs magnet and magnetic materials division will offer its 5th international bonded magnet conference Advanced Technologies, Market Trends and Customer Requirements for Polymer Bonded Magnets 2000. The conference will be held March 27-29, 2000 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA and will include tutorials on the design and application of polymer bonded magnets, and methods for and technologies for magnetizing and testing polymer bonded magnets. The conference will be made up of four sessions: Bonded Magnet Market Dynamics for the 21st Century, Product Design and Bonded Magnet Applications, Regional Market and Technical Outlook, and Material, Process and Production Innovations. To register, contact Intertech, 19 Northbrook Drive, Portland, ME 04105 USA; Tel: 207 781 2150; Fax: 207 781 9800; info@intertechusa.com. The 17th Technology Short Course and Workshop on Permanent Magnet Design will be held May 1-3, 2000 in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. The course will be offered by Princeton Electro-Technology, Inc. and will apprise the permanent magnet designer, engineer or technical manager of the latest developments in materials properties and processes, magnet behavior, modern methods for magnetic circuit design and analysis, with a number of design studies including motors, actuators and sensors. The studies will include applications in automobiles, consumer products, medical devices, computers, office products, and micro-turbines. Special emphasis will be placed on Nd-Fe-B and Sm-Co type magnets, as well as a wide range of bonded magnets. There will be a workshop session that will be held at the new Magnequench Technology Center which will provide interactive demonstrate of finite element software and a range of magnetization and permanent magnet characterization equipment. For more information, contact Princeton Electro-Technology, Inc., 2701 Stratford Hall Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614 USA; Tel: 919 274 6362; Fax: 919 488 6363; info@magnetweb.com; http://magnetweb.com/course.htm. The Nineteenth Annual Conference on Properties and Applications of Magnetic Materials will be held at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA, May 22 24, 2000. The conference will bring together engineers and scientists with users and suppliers of magnetic materials. Representatives from industry and academia will discuss recent developments and project future requirements of magnetic materials. The conference will consist of four sessions, each one lasting one half day: Techniques and Applications of Magnetic Modeling, Electrical Steels I and II, and Advanced Magnetic Materials. Several areas related to magnetic materials will be covered, including quality control for the manufacture of magnetic materials, electrical machine design and construction of magnetic devices, and innovative magnetic materials for technological applications. Contact Bonnie Dow, Illinois Institute of Technology, Hermann Union Building, Main Campus, Chicago, Illinois; Tel: 312 567 6809; Fax: 312 567 8976; bonnie@ese.iit.edu. The Seventh International Symposium on Magnetic Bearings will be held August 23 25, 2000 in Zurich, Switzerland. The Symposium will cover all aspects of magnetic bearings, with special emphasis on field experiences and applications. Session topics include applications such as aircraft engines, pumps, centrifuges, compressors, flywheels, guideways, turbines, space equipment, physical devices, spindles, and vibration isolation; safety and reliability; components and materials; modeling, dynamics, and control; superconductivity, micro bearings, and other novel areas. The Symposium will be accompanied by an exhibition by magnetic bearing manufacturers and research laboratories that will display their magnetic bearing systems, products and components. The Symposium will be preceded by a one-day tutorial an August 22, which will include theory and applications in magnetic bearing systems. Topics will include bearing operation, bearing layout, amplifier and sensor systems, rotor design and modeling, controller layout, and simulation. Various industrial applications will also be discussed, led by experienced magnetic bearing specialists. For more information, contact the International Center for Magnetic Bearings, ETH Center/CLA, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland; Tel: 41 1 632 35 82; Fax: 41 1 632 15 10; amb@ifr.mavt.ethz.ch; www.ifr.mavt.ethz.ch/ismb7. The 4th International Conference on f-elements (ICFE4) will be held September 17-21, 2000 in Madrid, Spain, and will focus on basic research such as synthesis, structural characterization and physical properties, as well as applied multidisciplinary relevant aspects in which rare earths are utilized. The program will cover different topics related to the synthesis and properties of novel rare earth compounds with applications in the field of electronics, optics, lasers, magnetism, catalysis, medicine, biomedicine, environment, industrial processes, superconductors, coordination and organometallic chemistry, and spectroscopy. Highlighting conference will be the presentation of the first European Rare Earth Society (ERES) Award for young researchers in rare earths. For more information, contact D.a Ana González Limón, Sección de Congresos Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain; Tel: 34 91 394 16 15; Fax: 34 91 394 13 14; congress@eumax.sim.ucm.es; www.icmm.csic.es/icfe4. The business session "Development of the CIS-countries market of noble and rare metals: status of prospects" has been added to the NRM-2000 conference {RIC News XXXIV, [1], 3 (1999)}. March '00 Polymer Bonded Magnets 2000 May '00 NATO ASI: Modern Trends in Magnetostriction Study and Application Nineteenth International Conference on Properties and
Applications of Magnetic Material June '00 August '00 September '00 The Third International Conference "Noble and Rare
Metals" (NRM-2000) September '01 Since the December issue of the RIC News went to press, we have received support from one new family member and renewed support from 26 other organizations and individuals. The supporters from the second quarter of the 2000 fiscal year who wish to be listed, grouped according to their appropriate category, and with the number of years that they have contributed to RIC in parenthesis, are listed in the next column. Donor ($4000 to $9999) Sponsor ($2000 to $3999) Patron ($1000 to $1999) Sustaining ($400 to $999) Individual |