Rare Earths at Bear Lodge

Neodymium

• Neodymium-Iron-Boron alloy (Nd2Fe14B) makes the most powerful magnets in the world They are used in:
  • Loudspeakers, televisions and computer hard drives to make them smaller and more efficient.
  • Electric motors and generators that rely on electromagnetism to operate
  • Green technologies, like electric vehicles and direct-drive wind turbines
• It is also used to create coherent light for lasers

Praseodymium

• Used as an alloy to create strong metals for use in aircraft engines.
• A component of a special glass used to make visors to protect welders and glassmakers. Being introduced in high-end sun glasses.
• Used as a doping agent in fiber optic cables to improve conductivity.
• Researchers are investigating its use as a shark repellent because it interferes with the shark's natural electrical sensors.

Samarium

• Used in Samarium-Colbalt permanent magnets which are difficult to demagnetize and can withstand high temperatures, uses include traction locomotives, precision guides weapons and solar powered electric aircraft
• Used in “white noise” production for stealth technology
• Used in special infrared absorbing glass and cores of carbon arch lamp electrodes

Terbium

• Added to NdFeB magnets to enhance certain characteristics
• Used as a doping agent in for elements uses in solid-state devices
• Used to create green phosphors used in color TVs
• Used in sonar systems and fluorescent lighting
• Acts as a crystal stabilizer of fuel cells which operate at elevated temperatures when used in combination with Zr0₂

Cerium

• Used in catalytic converters in cars
• Used to polish stones and glass
• Imparts yellow color into glass
• Used in carbon-arc lighting, like those used on movie sets, outdoor lighting and retail lighting 

Lanthanum

• Used to make high refractive index glass for uses like night vision goggles
• Improves clarity in camera and telescope lenses
• LaNi5-based hydrogen-storage alloys and nickel–metal hydride are used in rechargeable batteries in hybrid automobiles
• Used as an alloy with different metals to improve performance characteristics

Yttrium

• Most widely used to create white and grey colors in LED and high-end lighting
• Used to increase shock resistance in glass and lowers degree of expansion
• Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) lasers are used in numerous eye procedures as well as to simulated gemstones
• Yttrium-iron garnets are used to filter microwaves, and as transmitters and transducers for acoustic energy
• Used in medical treatments for arthritis, prosthetic devices, and cancer

Gadolinium

• Added to different compounds to increase resistance to high temperature oxidization
• Used in X-ray, MRI contrast, scanning systems and television screens
• Used in shut-down mechanisms for nuclear reactors
• Used in high refractive index glass

Europium

• Used for red and blue in visual displays, including TVs, cell phones and computer screens
• Used in control rods in nuclear reactors because of neutron absorption capabilities
• Creates the red part of white light and is a critical element of the energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light

Dysprosium

• Used in the creation of laser materials, in infrared radiation, and in data storage, such as hard disks

• Used in control rods for nuclear reactors
• Used to increase coerciveness in the drive motors of hybrid vehicles
• Used in the production of fuel injectors, transducers, high intensity lamps and mechanical resonators