Atomic channels can separate rare earth elements from each other without using toxic chemicals

Rare earth elements like lanthanum, neodymium and dysprosium are used to build the electric motor in your car, the LED lights in your house and the MRI machine at your doctor's office.

But first, they have to be mined and separated from each other.

Historically, that purification has been a difficult, costly process, relying on huge amounts of toxic chemicals. ...