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Rare-Earth Elements in Lighting and Optical Applications and Their Recycling

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Abstract

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are used in lighting and optical applications to enable color and light adjustment, miniaturization, and energy efficiency. Common applications of REEs include phosphors for light-emitting diodes, lasers, and electronic video displays. This article reviews how REEs are widely used in these applications. However, supply constraints, including rising prices, environmental concerns over mining and refining processes, and China’s control over the supply of the vast majority of REEs, are of concern for manufacturers. In view of these supply constraints, this article discusses ways for manufacturers of lighting and optical devices to identify potential substitutes and recycling methods for REEs.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the more than 100 companies and organizations that support research activities at the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering at the University of Maryland annually, specifically the CALCE Prognostics and Health Management Group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, People’s Republic of China

    Xin Song

  2. Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Moon-Hwan Chang & Michael Pecht

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  1. Xin Song
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  2. Moon-Hwan Chang
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  3. Michael Pecht
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Correspondence to Michael Pecht.

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Song, X., Chang, MH. & Pecht, M. Rare-Earth Elements in Lighting and Optical Applications and Their Recycling. JOM 65, 1276–1282 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-013-0737-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-013-0737-6

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