Minerals are natural compounds with stable phase interfaces and crystallization habits, and have a specific chemical composition. For a long time, the development of human civilization is inseparable from the use of minerals, and the upgrading of social production level is also deeply associated with the discovery of new types of minerals.
Recently, after the International Mineralogical Society's Committee on the Naming and Classification of New Minerals (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) examined and voted, two new minerals applied for by Liu Peng, Associate Professor of the Department of Geology of Northwestern University and the State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, and the team of Prof. Li Guowu of the China University of Geosciences (Beijing) were recognized as Yucheon carbon yttrium ore and Wenlan vanadium yttrium ore. Yuchuan carbon yttrium ore and Wenlan vanadium yttrium ore have been recognized.
In order to further understand the characteristics of the two new minerals, as well as their discovery and identification process, Science and Technology Daily reporter interviewed Associate Professor Liu Peng.
Both belong to the relatively rare heavy rare earth minerals
"Yuchuan yttrium carbonite is a rare water-bearing carbonate heavy rare earth mineral, named after China's famous mineral deposit geology and mineral exploration scientist, Chinese Academy of Engineering Chen Yuchuan academician." Liu Peng told reporters, "And Wenlan vanadium yttrium ore is the vanadium-rich end-member of Jingwen ore that we previously discovered, belonging to the analogous homogeneous end-member minerals of Jingwen ore, which is also a kind of heavy rare earth minerals. It is named after Prof. Zhang Wenlan, an expert in electron probe analysis in China and a professor at the School of Earth Science and Engineering of Nanjing University."
It is reported that researchers tend to categorize rare earth-like elements into two groups: light and heavy. The division of the two groups is bounded by gadolinium, and the seven elements before gadolinium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, and europium, are light rare earth elements; while gadolinium and after gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and yttrium, are the nine elements that are heavy rare earth elements. Minerals containing light rare earth elements are known as light rare earth minerals, while those containing heavy rare earth elements are known as heavy rare earth minerals. "Generally speaking, heavy rare earth minerals are rarer than light rare earth minerals, and can be utilized with higher value, and are widely used in high-tech industries such as aerospace, and are an important raw material for the production of optical devices and permanent magnetic materials." Liu Peng introduction.
Jingwenite is a new mineral discovered by Liu Peng and other researchers in 2021, and is the first silicate mineral containing heavy rare earths and vanadium found in nature. This new discovery of Wenlan vanadium yttrium ore and the previously discovered Jingwen ore can be said to be inseparable, the two are each other's analogous homogeneous end-member minerals. Usually homogeneous has the same crystal structure, but Wenlan vanadium yttrium ore and Jingwenite has a different crystal structure, this discovery has important significance for crystal structure science. "In layman's terms, Wenlan vanadium yttrium ore and Jingwen ore are 'twin brothers', but their looks and heights are very different," Liu Peng said. Liu Peng said.
It's an important advance in basic mineralogical research
Obviously, new minerals can not "walk" to the front of the researchers. For the discovery and identification of new minerals, need to pay hard sweat and professional practice. "The two newly discovered minerals were found in the Yushui copper mine in Meizhou City, Guangdong Province. Liu Peng said, "The investigation work in the mine was hard and lasted a long time. But obviously our efforts were rewarded."
While investigating the Yushui Copper Mine, Liu Peng and his collaborators stumbled upon the presence of many heavy rare earth minerals in the red sandstone of the Lower Carboniferous Uniform (period) here. This aroused their interest. Through detailed information review and data comparison, Liu Peng and his collaborators found that the local Yushui copper ore in the high content of heavy rare earths, it is clear that the previous discovery is not by chance. After collecting and extracting several samples from the Yushui copper mine, they further analyzed the samples. The results of the analysis showed that the rare earth ores in the samples did not meet the definition of any known mineral. "This shows that we have successfully discovered new minerals." Liu Peng said.
The discovery of new minerals is obviously not enough; a complex identification process is required to successfully pass the committee's determination. In order to identify the two new minerals, Liu Peng and his collaborators utilized advanced identification techniques such as electron microprobe technology, double-focused ion beam and transmission electron microscopy technology, and after many repeated operations, overcame numerous difficulties and challenges to successfully complete the identification and finally passed the committee's determination.
Whether you need copper pipes, copper rods ,copper plates,we have the products and expertise to meet your needs.
