Rare earth elements have many uses, including clean energy technologies, energy storage, and permanent magnets.
Researchers also used high-throughput screening, a computational scheme that allows researchers to test hundreds of models quickly.
Their work was describedin a recent paperpublished inActa Materialia.
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“The number of potential compounds, combinations, composites and novel materials is mind-blowing,” he added.
Then scientists can focus their efforts."
It’s definitely a way that can be applied to many other materials design problems."
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For instance, in displays, these compounds are added to endow materials with highly targeted optical properties.
They are also used in your cell phone’s camera.
“There are challenges, however, in how they are mined and how they are supplied.
“One area is in biology, specifically protein folding.
Why do some proteins, after having a small genetic change, lead to disease?
How can we develop new chemical compounds to treat disease or develop new drugs?”
“We are just at the beginning of an exciting time.”
