Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Research Institute Of Chemical Technology» (FSUE «ARRICT»)

G. A. Sarychev, Executive Officer

Ozyorsk Technological Institute of National Research Nuclear University MEPhI

I. G. Tananaev, Professor, e-mail: geokhi@mail.ru

This review includes information on the features of isotopic composition and behaviour in nature of rare earth elements, on their isolation from natural objects and manmade waste for application in different fields of science and techology: ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy, glass and ceramic industry, nuclear technology, electrical engineering, and so on. The review also includes a historical part describing efforts of different scientists into discovery and study of individual rare earth elements. It is noted the special role of D. I. Mendeleev not only in placing rare earth elements into his periodic table, but also in improving methods for separating mixtures thereof. The review is completed by analysis of development prospects of the Russian rare-earth industry, including the development and manufacturing of strategical products. Authors pays special attention to the fact that one of the competitive advantages in the current economy is based on development of innovation technologies with rare earth elements usage which leads to creation of new high-technology materials and products with unique characteristics.

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