🔬 Northeastern University researchers have developed a new technique that can double rare earth element extraction from coal mining waste.

🧪 This method uses a chemical pretreatment with sodium hydroxide and nitric acid, combined with a specialized microwave reactor to control temperature, achieving 2-3 times greater efficiency than standard methods.

💡 Rare earth elements are crucial for magnets, electronics, and batteries, and this research could unlock a significant domestic source from billions of tons of U.S. coal tailings.

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