A seminar on “rare earths” for a sustainable Earth

The Young Minds Section of Catania, Italy, had the pleasure to invite Prof. Andries Meijerink, from Utrecht University, for a seminar on rare earths. He has contributed significantly to the development of this field through his research and publications. Rare earths are also called Lanthanides, derived from the Greek word “λανθανειν” (to lie hidden). This group of elements, hidden at the bottom of the periodic table, remains scarce as China decided to limit the export of these elements.
Rare earths are not well known. However, the unique chemical, magnetic and optical properties give them…