This book starts with a theoretical introduction of the rare earth materials, and it subsequently analyzes the essential characteristics of these materials from elements, compounds to physical chemistry and metal materials, etc. Under the supplementary explanation of experimental data and results, the research is gradually guided into the multi-domain application scene. Through extensive analyses, this book displays comprehensively the distinguished values of the rare earth materials and the theoretical, empirical, and practical significance of rare earth materials is unraveled. It also covers an exhaustive review of 17 rare earth elements, their characteristics, and more possibilities in physical chemistry, functional materials, metallurgy, composites and engineering, and their prospects in production and technical applications. In-depth account of the whole spectrum of rare earth material research makes this book a unique reference to academic researchers, students, and engineers.

Changzhen Wang is Professor of Metallurgy & Materials at the School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, China. She is a well-known scholar and expert in the field of metallurgical physical chemistry and rare earth (RE) research. Professor Wang has a teaching and research career that spans more than six decades. She is a subject expert in solid-state Ionics, physical chemistry, and rare earth materials, such as RE sensors, RE compounds, RE conductors, RE electroslag remelting, RE application in steel and cast iron, RE alloys, RE magnetic materials and RE functional ceramics. She was one of the pioneers in the early characterization and exploration of thermodynamic properties of several rare earth compounds and minerals. Professor Wang has published more than 100 research papers and academic textbooks. Many of her scientific research achievements have been patented. Her books include "Metallurgical Physical Chemistry Research Methods", "Solid Electrolyte and Chemical Sensor", "Solid Ion Conductor Chemical Sensor", "Solid Ionic Element Sensing and Application" and "Theory and Application of Rare Earth Materials" in Chinese and English versions, which garnered her National Book Award multiple times. As an internationally renowned scholar, Professor Wang has been invited to participate in international conferences or has lectured in the United States, Germany, Portugal, Japan and Norway. She was invited by Norwegian University of Science and Technology as a visiting professor to collaborate on Fuel Cell related theories and jointly to teach PhD students. She worked with Nagoya University in Japan to carry out an international project of "Basic Research on the Application of Hydrogen Sensors in Metallurgical Processes". She was invited to visit the Faculty of Engineering of Iwate University, Japan, to present "Thermodynamics of Rare Earth Alloys".  She was also invited to visit the University of Pennsylvania, one of the Ivy League universities in the United States, and gave a report on "Solid Electrolytes and Chemical Sensors".  Professor Changzhen Wang's teaching, research results and academic works have been widely welcomed and praised by the academic community.