In Frank Herbert's space opera Dune, a precious natural substance called "spice mixture" gives people the ability to navigate the vast universe to build an interstellar civilization. In real life on Earth, a group of natural metals known as rare earth elements make our modern technology possible. The demand for these key components in virtually all modern electronics is skyrocketing.

Coal mining can pollute nearby waterways, producing acidic water that is rich in heavy metals. Researchers are seeking to use this coal waste to obtain rare earth elements.

In 1945, scientists built the ENIAC, the world's first programmable general-purpose digital computer (SN: 2/23/46, p. 118). Nicknamed the "Giant Brain," ENIAC weighed more than four elephants and covered an area about two-thirds the size of a tennis court. Less than 80 years later, the ubiquitous smartphone, which has far more computing power than the ENIAC. society owes this miniaturization of electronics in large part to the special magnetic power of rare earths. A small rare-earth magnet can do the same job as large magnets that do not contain rare earths.

Analysis of latest tungsten market from Chinatungsten Online

China’s ammonium metatungstate (APT) and tungsten powder prices keep stable on May 25, 2023 when the overall confidence in the raw material market has increased after the announcement of long-term contract prices by large companies.