yttrium

A critical step in the researchers' protocol is reacting molten titanium with yttrium metal and yttrium trifluoride or a similar substance...

REE is a specific term which describes the lanthanides, scandium and yttrium.

A limitation of this work is that the resulting de-oxygenated titanium contains yttrium, up to 1% by mass; yttrium can influence the mechanical and chemical properties of titanium alloy.

It remains to be seen whether the extra yttrium and yttrium oxide that remain in titanium are harmful enough to make it worth to attempt to remove them somehow.

This can influence the crystal structure and the mechanical properties of the alloys, even with only a small percentage of residual yttrium.

Yttrium is also not desirable for implants, so the titanium produced by this method is not good for implants, but it is good for most other applications of titanium, where yttrium is not harmful.

After solving the yttrium contamination problem, applications to industrial manufacturing will be straightforward.

For each kind of titanium alloy, depending on its chemical composition and on its intended crystal structure, yttrium may happen to be harmful or beneficial.

Isn't yttrium sometimes added to increase the strength of titanium, anyway?

It is likely that most of the titanium deoxidized with yttrium would not be used as such, but it would be used for producing titanium alloys.

Where would yttrium be harmful, if you happen to know?

>> A limitation of this work is that the resulting de-oxygenated titanium contains yttrium, up to 1% by mass; yttrium can influence the mechanical and chemical properties of titanium alloy.

Yttrium is more reactive than magnesium, though less reactive than calcium, which is why it has been chosen.

Yttrium can form phosphors that make light in LED displays and compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

Yttrium: Red phosphors in CRT monitors, emits white light from LEDs, semicondoctor doping agent, and lots more.