Workshop on the basic and applied aspects of rare earths

Materials Chemistry and Physics, 31 (1992)

l-2

1

Workshop on the basic and applied aspects of rare earths Proceedings of the Second Workshop Centro Ricerche Venezia, TEMAV, Venice, Italy, May 9-10, 1991

Guest Editors: G. Blasse, Universityof Utrecht (The Netherlands) P. Guerriero, ICTR, National Research Council, Padua (Italy)

P. Guerriero - C.N.R., Padua (Scientific Secretary) S. Carra’ - Politecnico, Milan G. Granozzi - University of Padua E. Mantovani - ENI, Rome M. Marella - TEMAV, Venice A. Marino - ENEA, Rome L. Meregalli - TEMAV, Venice P. Zanella - C.N.R., Padua

P. A. Vigato, ICTR, National Research Council, Padua (Itab) Preface Foreword

The second workshop on the basic and applied aspects of rare earths, May 9-10, 1991 held in Venice at TEMAV Centro Ricerche, Venezia, under the sponsorship of the European Rare Earth and Actinide Society (ERES), followed directly from the first workshop held in 1988. The community of rare earth scientists present in Venice represented almost all the specialized disojplines in rare earth science and a fruitful interaction between investigators from academic institutes and from industry was achieved. The scientific program consisted of invited lectures, a general panel discussion and contributed papers presented in a poster session. The topics covered by the invited speakers were related to three major sections: science, technology and market. This workshop would not have been possible without the financial support of Ente Nazionale per 1’Energia Nucleare e le Energie Alternative - ENEA, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche and TEMAV. All the participants appreciated the hospitality experienced at the Centro Ricerche Venezia. For their hard work, we thank the staffs at the Istituto di Chimica e Tecnologia dei Radioelementi CNR, Padua and at the Centro Ricerche Venezia, TEMAV, Venice. G. Blase P. Guerriero P. A. Vigato

Scientific and Organizing Committee

R. Guerriero - TEMAV, Venice (Chairman) P. A. Vigato - C.N.R., Padua (Chairman)

In the recent past there has been a growing interest in a deeper knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of rare earths, owing to their potential applications in several fields ranging from material science or reactivity and catalysis to biochemistry and medicine. It is therefore not just a case that this workshop was organized by a CNR Institute specialized in the basic chemistry of f-elements (Istituto di Chimica e Tecnologia dei Radioelementi) and by a Research Center of TEMAV - EN1 (Centro Ricerche Venezia), involved in R&D of inorganic advanced materials, often containing rare earths. In fact, the organizers wished to give the opportunity to participants, coming from different scientific fields and from industries, to discuss together these three different aspects of rare earths: science, technology and market. Academic researchers presented their recent results and outlined the projects of basic research. Representatives of the most important industries talked about their present and future strategies on the applications of these elements, also in connection with the market trends. Following the indications of the participants to the first workshop, attention was focused on specific fields, always keeping the correct balance between fundamental and applied research, through the participation of universities, public and private research institutes. The suggestion to extend the meeting to all non-European countries was also followed: American, Japanese and Chinese researchers attended the workshop presenting the work in progress in their countries. Representatives of the European Community have also illustrated the opportunity offered by BRITE and EURAM programmes to the scientific community working Elsevier

Sequoia