Image reproduced from 中央社

Rare earth elements (REEs) are often regarded as the driving force behind modern high-tech advancements. From fluorescent lights and computer hard drives to automobiles, defense industries, and wind turbines, these elements are essential to various applications. However, the current global recovery rate of rare earth elements from electronic waste stands at less than 1%. The primary challenge lies in the significant energy demands and complex chemical processes required to separate rare earth elements from electronic materials, which contribute to high costs.

Researchers at ETH Zurich, led by Pelin and her mentor Mug, have developed a novel method utilizing a special extraction agent that alters the dissolution rate of rare earth elements, thereby significantly enhancing separation efficiency. Pelin stated, "Without appropriate regulations or innovative drives to push for the recovery of rare earth elements, it becomes extremely challenging. Clearly, for a long time, it has been more economical to extract rare earths from the earth than to analyze our waste materials, and I hope we are moving in the right direction toward change."

The term 'rare earth elements' refers to a group of 17 metallic elements located in the periodic table between atomic numbers 57 and 71. Although termed 'rare earth,' these elements are not necessarily scarce in the earth's crust; in fact, their abundance can surpass that of precious metals like gold and platinum. However, they are often dispersed across various minerals and do not exist in a pure metallic form, making the extraction process complex, time-consuming, and environmentally damaging.

Pelin uses the example of recovering europium from light bulbs, illustrating the process of separating the glass first to extract the white phosphor, which is then dissolved in acid. The special extraction agent is employed to refine the material to obtain nearly pure europium. This method not only reduces the chemical waste generated during the refining process but also minimizes environmental hazards and energy consumption.

She emphasized that "even after extensive geochemical processes, we still struggle to improve rare earth recovery rates. As chemists, it is our duty to understand these elements and explore their unique properties. We must find better ways to extract them from waste and avoid geopolitical and environmental impacts caused by mining."

The distribution of rare earth elements is highly concentrated, leading to significant uncertainty in the global supply chain. With China as the largest holder of rare earth resources, fluctuations in its export policies can have devastating impacts on the market. As the application of rare earth elements in technological advancements continues to grow, it poses a critical threat to the leading positions of other nations.

This concern is linked to President Trump's urgent interest in securing mineral deals with Ukraine, and at the heart of the US-China trade conflict is the issue of China's control over rare earth exports. Over the past few decades, the neglect of the rare earth industry by Western nations has led to significant challenges in breaking free from reliance on China. Geologist Julie indicated, "You see, when trying to revive an industry that hasn't been operational for 20 or 30 years, there are many areas that require catching up. Many experts in rare earth extraction and processing are now based in China, which makes sense, as the majority of value-added operations have been handled there for decades."

28-year-old Pelin has been selected as one of the top 10 young inventors globally by the European Patent Office for 2025. Her innovative technology aims to assist the EU in achieving the objectives set by the 'Critical Raw Materials Act' passed in 2023, which states that by 2030, 25% of strategic rare earth use must come from recycling, 40% from processing, and 10% from extraction. The long-term goal is to industrialize the new technology through cooperation between academia and industry, ultimately enabling the sector to internally recycle rare earths.

Rare earth metals have become critical strategic resources for nations worldwide, resulting in fierce competition for their acquisition. Pelin's invention has garnered significant attention in the industry, and this innovative technology is set to be published in the prestigious journal 'Nature' in June 2024.