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Neodymium, symbol Nd, is a chemical element with the atomic number 60. It is a rare-earth metal that is silvery-white in color and is found in various minerals, most notably monazite and bastnäsite. Neodymium is primarily used in the production of powerful magnets, known as neodymium magnets, which are the strongest type of permanent magnet available. These magnets are used in a wide range of applications, including electric motors, generators, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines.

Neodymium is also used in the glass industry to produce special optical glasses, which are used in lasers and other optical devices. Additionally, it is used in the production of metal alloys, which are used in the aerospace and automotive industries. Neodymium is also used in the production of catalysts, which are used in the chemical industry.

Neodymium is a relatively soft metal, with a Mohs hardness of 2.5, and it is also highly reactive. It is not found in its pure form in nature, but rather in combination with other rare-earth elements. Neodymium is typically extracted from its ores through a process of roasting, leaching, and solvent extraction.

Neodymium has several isotopes, with the most stable being Nd-142, which has a half-life of over 10^15 years. Neodymium is also known to have a unique property, known as the "neodymium effect," which is the ability of neodymium to absorb light in the visible spectrum, making it useful in the production of colored glasses and other optical devices.