Florida Polytechnic University Receives $150,000 for Sourcing Rare Earth Elements

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a $150,000 grant to Florida Polytechnic University in hopes that researchers will find sources of rare earth elements within the country.

In a press release, the university said researchers are responsible for recycling rare earth elements used in the production of computers, solar panels, smartphones, electric cars, and many more products. China currently supplies most of the world with these rare elements.

Florida Polytechnic receives a 150K dollars grant to create a US source for rare earths image

Rare earths are typically found in the processing of phosphates. Therefore, because phosphate mining is a major industry in Florida, the federal government thought it appropriate to give this funding to the university's Phosphate Research Institute. Researchers at the university were tasked with developing a research program to recover, separate, and purify rare earths in the phosphate processing process.

"We are pleased that the federal government continues to support FIPR's rare earth elements research, and we look forward to proving our research in Phase I and hopefully receiving an even more significant award in Phase II," said Dr. Jim Mennie, director of operations for the Florida Institute of Industrial and Phosphate Research at Florida Institute of Technology.

Researcher at Florida Polytechnic University image

Phase II, if approved, would result in $4 million in funding over three years to bring the program to fruition, according to the university." Dr. Patrick Zhang, director of phosphate beneficiation and mining research at FIPR, said, "If we are successful, we can meet the U.S. demand for many elements, especially yttrium - and we may be able to supply the entire world with yttrium.

Florida Polytechnic University said the Mosaic Company - one of the largest phosphate mining companies in Florida - will provide the researchers with thousands of tons of material needed to conduct the project. Founded in 2004 as a joint venture between Cargill Crop Nutrition and IMC Global. It is the world's largest producer of phosphate fertilizer and the second-largest fertilizer producer in the world, producing and marketing phosphate and potash fertilizers for the global agricultural market.

Florida Polytechnic University receives 150000 dollars image

 

 

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