Projects
Research Platform for the Advanced Recycling and Reuse of Rare Earths (RARE³). KU Leuven
Site selective spectroscopy of rare earth doped luminescent materials Ghent University
Through a combination of site selective spectroscopy (x-ray absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance and luminescence spectroscopy), rare earth doped luminescent materials are investigated. Combined with structural research, this yields information on the exact surroundings of the rare earths. Since the luminescent properties are strongly dependent on this, the research is also important for potential applications.
Spectroscopic examination of rare earth ions in solids with a large band gap with the aid of magnetic resonance, optical techniques and Density Functional Theory Ghent University
In this project the structural and optical properties of fluoride crystals and wide band gap semiconductors, doped with paramagnetic rare earth ions, investigated.
Development and optimization of X-ray spectroscopic methods for the analysis of rare earth elements in geological materials. Ghent University
Development and optimization of X-ray based analytical techniques towards the analysis of rare extraterrestrial materials. Ghent University
Micro-XRF spectroscopy, using synchrotron or conventional X-ray source based excitation, is a well-established non-destructive, microanalytical method, providing information on the elemental distributions in the probed sample. When three dimensional spatially resolved information is of interest, often a confocal micro-XRF detection scheme is applied as an alternative to XRF tomography. However, both methods pose significant challenges when ...
Magnetomobility of Paramagnetic Ions and Solution Droplets KU Leuven
Separation of rare earth ions with strong magnetic fields
Rare earths elements (REEs) are a group of 17 elements in the periodic table, including the 15 lanthanides, scandium and yttrium. These elements are today critical because of their essential role in applications such as permanent magnets, lamp phosphors, catalysts, rechargeable batteries, etc. They occur in nature as mixtures and are very difficult to separate into the individual ...
Optical spectroscopy of rare-earth (lanthanide) ions doped iparent nano-glass-ceramics with application to plasmonic and meta-materio-structures. KU Leuven
REBIKE KU Leuven
In recent years the supply of certain materials has come under increasing supply constraints as outlined in the EU critical materials list. The rare-earth elements top this list, and within the rare-earth category, Nd and Dy are singled out due to their important role in the manufacture of rare-earth permanent magnets (based on an alloy of NdFeB with additions of Dy). NdFeB magnets are used in a diverse range of products including for example ...
Recovery of scandium, yttrium and lanthanides from bauxite residue using solvent extraction with ionic liquids. KU Leuven
Secondary resources are essential to maintain the supply of critical metals in our fast-developing society. Recovery of metals from waste materials is not only important to meet the increasing demand, but also in view of a sustainable future for our planet. The rare-earth elements are listed as critical metals by the European Commission because of their essential role in, amongst others, permanent magnets for many high-tech and green ...