Economic relationships and market trends of the rare earths
Abstract This paper considers the market trends of the rare earths and how they are strongly influenced by the by-product/co-product nature of their mining and processing. The two main economic minerals for the rare earths are bastnasite and monazite. Monazite is primarily a by-product of mining ilmenite and rutile and is affected by changes in these markets as well as the presence of thorium. Bastnasite is a byproduct of mining iron ore in China and a stand-alone product in the USA. The paper will use conceptional relationships and empirical data to delineate the various by-products/co-products relationships and how they determine observed market behavior.
Catalysis: A growing market for rare earths☆
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to review the current applications of rare earths in catalysis and their corresponding markets and to examine the uses that may be developed commercially in future. Nowadays, it is well known that minor additions of rare earths can provide a beneficial effect for various catalytic systems. Thus, the introduction, by exchange, of rare earth cations improves the thermal stability of the Y zeolite contained in fluid cracking catalyst (FCC). Another example is the addition of rare earth oxides to automotive post-combustion catalysts in order to stabilize the alumina support. Today these applications represent the two main markets for rare earths in catalysis. However, specific catalytic properties and behavior, such as a particular orientation of the selectivity in CO + H2 reactions and a promotional effect in polymerization reactions, promise potential future applications and a wider recognition of rare earths in the catalytic field.
Dawn or dusk of the 5th age of research in educational technology? A literature review on (e-)leadership for technology-enhanced learning in higher education (2013-2017)
The aim of this article is to establish the extent to which the concept of e-leadership has taken off as a lens through which to study leadership for technology-enhanced learning (TEL) in higher education. Building on a previous study conducted in 2013, this article thus covers an exploratory review of the literature for the period 2103-2017. It analyses 49 articles which explore both the specific concept of e-leadership as well as other work dealing more generally with leadership and organisational change for TEL in higher education. The findings show that while none of the empirical studies identified in the literature refer explicitly to e-leadership, there are a number of interesting insights to be found in the theoretical articles. The results also highlight the widely different interpretations and applications of the concept of e-leadership and the consequent need for the definition to be refined. The paper concludes with recommendations for further multidisciplinary research at the intersection of the fields of educational technology and educational management, focusing on values, strategy, organisation and leadership interactions at meso level, the economy and public policy at macro level, and teaching and learning at the micro level, as well as for research in Leadership Development for TEL.