A research team has discovered a previously unknown mineral in China that contains a rare earth element that is sought after for its superconducting properties. The ore, named niobobaotite, is made of niobium, barium, titanium, iron and chloride.
What’s causing the excitement is niobium, a light gray mineral used primarily in steel production, which it strengthens without adding significant weight. Niobium is also used in making other alloys (materials made from mixtures of metals) and can be found in particle accelerators and other advanced scientific equipment because it is a superconductor at low temperatures.
The deposit of niobobaotite was found ten days ago in the Bayan Obo ore deposit in Baotou City in Inner Mongolia. It has a brown-black hue and is one of 150 new minerals found in the area, according to an announcement by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
The discovery may come as a surprise to China, which currently imports 95% of its niobium. “Depending on the volume and quality of this niobium it could make China self-sufficient,” says Antonio Castro, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the National University of Singapore.
Brazil is the world’s largest supplier of niobium with Canada a distant second. According to the US Geological Survey, a niobium mine and processing facility is underway in southern Nebraska.
Niobium may be in even greater demand in the future as researchers work to develop niobium-lithium and niobium-graphene batteries.
Source: en.techwar.gr