Neodüüm

Neodüüm is a chemical element with the symbol Nd and atomic number 60. It is a lustrous, silvery-white metal belonging to the lanthanide series, also known as rare-earth elements. Neodüüm is one of the most abundant of the rare-earth elements, although it is not found in its pure form in nature. Instead, it occurs in minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite.

The most significant application of neodüüm is in the production of powerful permanent magnets, known as neodüüm magnets or NdFeB magnets. These magnets are composed of neodüüm, iron, and boron and are the strongest type of permanent magnet commercially available. They are essential components in a wide range of modern technologies, including electric motors in hybrid and electric vehicles, wind turbines, hard disk drives, loudspeakers, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines.

Neodüüm compounds also have various other uses. Neodüüm oxide, for instance, is used to color glass and glazes, imparting a violet or reddish-purple hue. This coloration is particularly valued in the optical industry for its ability to absorb green light, making it useful in filters for lasers and welding goggles. Neodüüm salts are also employed in certain catalytic processes and in the production of specialized alloys.