Final Seminar by Yenisleidy Valdés Showcases Advances in Rare Earth Recovery at UNIUD
The FREECOVER project continues to strengthen its research and collaboration activities through international secondments. As part of this effort, Yenisleidy Valdés Arencibia delivered her final seminar at University of Udine (UNIUD), presenting key outcomes from her secondment.
Advancing Sustainable Recovery of Rare Earth Elements
During the seminar, Yenisleidy presented her research titled:
“Leaching protocols for REEs recovery from permanent magnets”
Her work focuses on developing efficient and environmentally friendly methods to recover Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from NdFeB permanent magnets — a critical component in modern technologies such as electronics, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicles.
Innovative Leaching Approaches
The presented results highlighted:
- The use of mild leaching conditions
- Optimization of acid concentration and contact time
- Improved efficiency in dissolving NdFeB magnets
- Enhanced recovery rates for key rare earth elements
These findings contribute to reducing environmental impact while maintaining high recovery performance — a key objective within the FREECOVER project.
Strengthening International Collaboration
The secondment enabled close collaboration between:
- University of Havana
- University of Udine
This exchange of knowledge and expertise plays a crucial role in advancing innovative recycling solutions and fostering international scientific cooperation.
Impact on Circular Economy
The recovery of Rare Earth Elements from end-of-life materials is essential for:
- Reducing dependency on primary raw materials
- Supporting Europe’s strategic autonomy
- Enabling sustainable and circular value chains
The work presented by Yenisleidy directly supports these goals by contributing to the development of scalable and eco-friendly recycling technologies.
Looking Ahead
FREECOVER will continue to promote knowledge exchange through secondments, seminars, and collaborative research activities, ensuring that scientific results translate into real-world impact.
