CMI achieves more efficient, less polluting rare earth metal production

CMI scientists at Colorado School of Mines conducted this research for project "Molten Fluorides for Rare Earth Electroreduction"

Achievement:
Established and experimentally validated a mathematical model quantifying molten salt electrolysis of Nd₂O₃ in NdF₃–LiF, reducing energy consumption in the lab from 37–69%.

Significance and Impact:

• Enables domestic production of rare earth metal for manufacture of magnets. 
• Helps to integrate the rare earth supply chain by accepting oxides from mining.

Approach:

• Developed a cell for measuring the electrical conductivity of the molten fluorides, enabling better heat-balance estimation;
• Elucidated the mechanism of organofluorine generation.