Podcast: Yttrium, Terbium, Erbium, Ytterbium — A brief history of rare earths, ft RMG’s Magnus Ericsson

Magnus Ericsson is interviewed by Adrian Pocobelli in the Northern Miner podcast.

This week’s episode features Magnus Ericsson, adjunct professor at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden and co-founder of Mineral Economics and the Raw Materials Report, in conversation with host Adrian Pocobelli on the history of rare earths.

Ericsson explains how rare earths were first discovered and how investment by the Swedish monarchy in scientific research helped create the conditions for a series of important discoveries in Sweden, including several rare earth elements as well as nickel and cobalt. He also discusses the origins of the unusual names given to many rare earths and explores the feedback loop between science, technology, and metals, in which advances in one field help drive progress in the others.

Magnus interview starts around the 48 minute mark.

Full episode here https://secure.northernminer.com/news/podcast-yttrium-terbium-erbium-ytterbium-a-brief-history-of-rare-earths-ft-rmgs-magnus-ericsson/1003895500/