Rare-Earth Elements Working Group

Rare-earth elements (REE) have gained significant attention in recent years, and their importance continues to grow. Fifteen of the 17 REEs are located in the two rows above the main body of the periodic table. These elements are listed in order with their symbols as follows: scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium (Lu).

As the atomic number of the REE elements increases, their atomic radius decreases. Thus, the chemical differences between light and heavy REE become prominent. The first REE was discovered in the late 18th century in a mineral deposit near the town of Ytterby in Sweden and was named Gadolinium based on the results of analyses. Twelve REE were discovered in the 19th century. The last two elements, Lu and Pm, were discovered in 1907 and 1943, respectively.

Due to the fluorescent and magnetic properties of REE, their alloying with other metals provides important characteristics. For example, neodymium used with iron and boron can be used to produce NdFeB magnets. The conversion of energy from fossil fuels to electric systems, their use in various defense systems, and advances in electronic technologies have led to an increase in the use of REE every year. REE are used in many applications, such as electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, missiles, armor-piercing ammunition, night vision devices, and aircraft engines. Other applications include medical devices, mobile phones, TV screens, energy-efficient lighting, and superconductors.

Although REE have a long history in Türkiye, it has recently become a major focus. There is a large REE reserve in the Beylikova district of Eskişehir. Eti Maden is continuing its intensive efforts to bring this reserve into the economy on a pilot scale.

Although many organizations in our country (Etimaden, Tenmak-Naten, etc.) are working on this issue, a multidimensional approach from an academic perspective is required. Our working group, with its academic structure bringing together different scientific disciplines, is conducting studies to evaluate different perspectives on this issue, report on them, and propose solutions.

The TÜBA Rare Earth Elements Working Group examines technological, economic, and social developments related to REE. To this end, it is the responsibility of academics to guide decision-makers regarding the emerging effects in line with our country's technological development. Operating within the scope of TÜBA's mission to “conduct research and provide consultancy on scientific issues and the determination of scientific priorities,” the working group is studying the following topics related to REE:

-Economy, Security, and Policies
-Purification Processes, Analysis and Characterization, Chemical Processes, Transition from Pilot Scale to Mass Production, Production of Rare Earth Oxides
-Application areas: Magnets, Batteries, Lasers, Defense Industry, Health, etc.
-Environmental Issues, Recycling (Electric Vehicles (Batteries), Electronic Waste), etc.

Working Group Members
Prof. Dr. Zafer Evis / Executive / TÜBA Full Member / Middle East Technical University, Engineering Sciences
Prof. Dr. Sezgin Bakırdere / TÜBA Full Member / Yıldız Technical University, Chemistry
Prof. Dr. Hasan Göçmez / Kütahya Dumlupınar University, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering 
Prof. Dr. Ertuğrul Kılıç / TÜBA Full Member / Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Medicine
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Kızıl / Istanbul Technical University, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu / TÜBA Full Member / Istanbul Technical University, Environmental Engineering
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kumral / Istanbul Technical University, Geological Engineering
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Metin Özgül / Afyon Kocatepe University, Materials Science and Engineering
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Soylak / TÜBA Full Member / Erciyes University, Chemistry
Prof. Dr. Ali Rıza Yıldız / TÜBA Full Member / Bursa Uludağ University, Mechanical Engineering
Prof. Dr. Abdülkadir Yörükoğlu / Gazi University, Environmental Sciences