Water-only method offers cleaner, cheaper alternative for recycling rare earth magnets

Scientists at IOCB Prague developed a water-based method to extract rare earth elements from discarded magnets, offering a cleaner alternative to conventional recycling. The technique efficiently separates metals like neodymium without toxic solvents, addressing the demand for sustainable rare earth recovery. This breakthrough could revolutionize "urban mining," helping secure domestic supplies and reduce reliance on harmful extraction methods. The patented technology shows promise for industrial-scale applications in various sectors.