Graduate Student Research Highlight

"Think about the device you’re reading this on. Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, it contains dozens of rare earth elements and critical metals that make its operation possible. Yet the United States currently relies on foreign sources for approximately 90% of some of these essential materials, creating vulnerabilities in our supply chain for everything from consumer electronics to clean energy technology. The University of Utah is taking bold steps to address this challenge."

Graduate students Easton Sadler and Benjamin Schroeder are a part of the research team that is developing innovative separation techniques, including a unique device that uses strong magnets to separate rare earth elements based on their magnetic properties. They are also exploring new environmentally friendly extraction methods using specialized materials that can selectively absorb specific elements.

Check out the full article from David Pace in @theu!