Rare earth element recycling: a review on sustainable solutions and impacts on semiconductor and chip industries

This is an open access article under the CC BY license.The increasing demand for rare earth elements (REEs) in advanced technologies, particularly in semiconductor and chip manufacturing, has led to rising production costs and significant environmental impacts due to the extraction and purification processes. The uneven geographical distribution of REE resources further complicates global supply chains, posing challenges for sustainable semiconductor manufacturing. In response, the recycling of REEs from end-of-life electronic products has emerged as a promising solution to address these issues. This article provides an overview of REE recycling processes in the semiconductor and chip industries, discussing the role of rare earth metals in these technologies and the importance of recycling from both economic and environmental perspectives. This article highlights various current and emerging recycling technologies, focusing on the chemical and hydrometallurgical routes, which are preferred due to their lower environmental impact. Recent research and developments in REE recycling are explored, including new manufacturing approaches that could enhance the efficiency and sustainability of these processes. This article also presents case studies of successful industrial implementations of sustainable recycling technologies, demonstrating their practical applications. Finally, the article outlines the potential for improving REE recycling in semiconductor manufacturing, emphasizing its positive impact on both the environment and the economy. It aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers, journals, and funding agencies, highlighting the significant role of REE recycling in promoting sustainable manufacturing in the semiconductor, chip, and related industries. © The Author(s) 2025.Rare Earth Elements for Europe; European Commission, EUThe Rare Earth Elements for Europe (REE4EU) project is a collaborative initiative funded by the European Union aimed at developing technologies for REE recycling from e-waste. This project developed an innovative metallurgical process incorporating high-temperature electrolysis and hydrometallurgical separation for recovering REEs from industrial residue and end-of-life products through energy-efficient and environmentally benign processes. The REE4EU project collaborates with industry partners to implement these technologies on an industrial scale, promoting a closed-loop recycling system for REEs in Europe []

Synthesis and degradation of aliphatic poly (ester carbonate) copolymers using novel chloroformates

Poster project completed at Wichita State University, Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryPresented at the 22nd Annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit, Topeka, KS, March 25, 2025.Aliphatic polyesters and polycarbonates have been widely investigated due to their biodegradability, which is important for both biomaterials and sustainable plastics. We are exploring the synthesis and copolymerization of the new aliphatic monomer, 2- (chlorocarbonyl)ethyl chloroformate (CFEO), and its chlorinated analog Cl- CFEO. Both CFEO and Cl-CFEO have two reactive functional groups that will react with diols to produce alternating poly (ester carbonate)s under conditions that allow the more reactive acid chloride group to react before the chloroformate group, or statistical copolymers when both functional groups can react. In addition to developing copolymerization reactions, this presentation will compare the hydrolytic stability of the alternating and statistical copolymers and their corresponding polyester and polycarbonate analogs under basic and enzymatic conditions and then will discuss the implications of these properties in medical and biodegradable applications

Design and optimization of miniaturized flexible NFC antennas for battery-free biomedical sensing

Thesis (M.S.)-- Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Biomedical EngineeringWireless data transfer capabilities enable real-time, user-centered monitoring for wearable and implantable biomedical devices. Among wireless technologies, near-field communication (NFC) holds great potential due to its ability to be ultra-thin, flexible, and miniaturized, while also supporting battery-free wireless communication. NFC technology operates through inductive coupling between two coils, which exchange electrical power and sensing data when in close proximity. Although NFC has been widely explored for wearable devices, few studies have focused on optimizing working distances while minimizing antenna size, which is crucial for the development of unobtrusive and long-term wearable devices that function without interruption. The goal of this study is to develop highly flexible antennas suitable for miniaturized biomedical devices and to construct a compact wearable sensing system. Since antenna sizes directly affect the working distance, smaller antennas typically suffer for shorter working distances, due to low inductive coupling. Therefore, our study primarily focused on the physical dimensions of antenna coils (e.g. coil shape, diameter, turns, spacing) and analyzed their impact on working distance. Based on our theoretical studies, we designed 12 tag antennas with diameters of 10, 15, 20, and 30 mm and corresponding inductance’s of 2, 4, and 6 μH, respectively. Thus antennas were then fabricated using 2 μm thick copper film through micro fabrication techniques. For experimental analysis, antenna calibration was performed to achieve the desired resonant frequency ( 13.56 MHz). Our results demonstrate that, antenna diameter significantly impacts the working distance, with the 30 mm diameter achieving the maximum range of 15 mm, followed by the 20 mm (12 mm), 15 mm (7.5 mm), and 10 mm (4 mm) antennas. To assess the stability, antennas’ electrical and mechanical properties were evaluated through bending tests over multiple cycles of bending to determine their flexibility and durability. Notably, all antennas exhibit stable coil resistance and resonant frequency under different bending conditions. To validate the sensing capabilities, we conducted pH testing using lab fabricated working electrodes (Platinum) and reference electrodes (Ag/AgCl). Their electrochemical performance was evaluated over the range of pH values, focusing on sensitivity, reproducibility and stability. In conclusion, our findings suggest that miniaturized antennas and fabricated electrodes have the potential to the development of battery-free wireless sensing for wearable health monitoring, and broader biomedical use. Further advancing this research by integrating fabricated electrodes with an NFC tag could lead to the development of self-powered sensing systems

Reducing return rates and improving product fit through additive manufacturing

Published in SOAR: Shocker Open Access Repository by Wichita State University Libraries Technical Services, November 2025. 2025 IEMS Officers: Gamal Weheba (Conference Chair); Hesham Mahgoub (Program Chair); Dalia Mahgoub (Technical Director); Ed Sawan (Publications Editor); Wilfredo Moscoso (Proceedings Editor); Abdulaziz G. Abdulaziz (Associate Editor)High product return rates create major financial, environmental, and reputational challenges for industries such as fashion, footwear, and medical devices. Many of these returns stem from poor product fit, design flaws, and unmet customer expectations. Additive Manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, offers solutions through customization, prototyping, and reduced material waste. This paper explores how AM improves product quality and customer satisfaction, leading to lower return rates across multiple sectors. Challenges such as material limits, data accuracy, and lack of standardization are also discussed. Overall, AM shows strong potential to support sustainable manufacturing while reducing costs and building consumer trust

Humanizing curriculum history: Reflective and diffractive practices of teachers in South Korean education reform

Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).This paper seeks to humanize the history of curriculum reform by exploring the diverse relationships that teachers form with the national curriculum system in South Korea. Drawing on the concepts of reflective and diffractive practices, we analyze the professional trajectories of two teachers across three decades of national curriculum changes. One teacher’s professional career reflects a commitment to aligning teaching methods with curriculum reforms, while the other teacher considers teaching as a political act, emphasizing a teacher’s interpretive and agential roles to challenge the rigid boundaries between policy and practice. By juxtaposing these narratives, this study complicates traditional views of curriculum history, highlighting how teachers exercise critical agency in shaping their relationships with the national curriculum system. In documenting these entangled relationships, we advocate for a more inclusive understanding of teacher development that acknowledges marginalized voices and experiences often excluded from official curriculum history. This study underscores the importance of valuing the diverse ways that teachers interact with the curriculum system, arguing for a shift from a policy-driven perspective to one that embraces the dynamic interplay between curriculum structures and teacher agency. © 2025 Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia

University Staff Senate meeting, July 15, 2025

Agenda: (Call to Order) -- (Discussion and New Business) -- (Old Business) -- (Senate Committee Updates) -- (Campus/University Business Updates & Discussions) -- (Adjourn/Upcoming Meetings and Events/Shoutouts) Minutes: (Call to Order): Approval of minutes – (Guest Presenter): Monica Lounsbery -- (Discussion and New Business): Installation of Executive Committee Officers and new senators -- Senate priorities for 2025-2026 -- Staff Senate teams -- Senate committees – (Old Business): a. HR Orientation sign up & talking points -- August meeting -- (Senate Committee Updates): Awards and recognition -- Communications and website -- Elections -- Policy review -- Professional development and service -- Scholarships -- Shocker STRIVE -- (Campus/University Business Updates & Discussions): Academic forum -- Budget Advisory Committee -- Human Resources (Joint with Faculty Senate) -- Legislative update + KBOR briefing -- Parking appeals + traffic appeals -- President’s meetings -- RSC Board of Directors -- UPS/USS Presidents Council (KBOR) -- (Adjourn/Upcoming Meetings and Events/Shoutouts): August Senate Meeting: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 -- Fall Address: Wednesday, August 13, Doors open at 2:00pm/Event begins at 2:30pm -- Check the Events Calendar for upcoming events on campus Attachments contain Senate meeting minutes with Vietnamese translation

The Sunflower, v.129, no.19 (February 13, 2025)

Article(s): Leaps & bounds. 2025 spring sports guide -- Men's tennis excited to make strides in spring -- Track and field aims for AAC crown -- Wichita State baseball seeks first Regional bid since 2013 -- After falling short last year, 'bitter' softball team looks to bounce back -- Baseball's Josh Livingston went through a massive hitting slump last season. He's glad it happened. -- Pitchers Jace Miner and Grant Adler return to Wichita State after transferring out for one year -- Michael Mulhollon retires from pitching, joins WSU baseball coaching staff -- Back in the lineup: Lauren Lucas is ready for final year after injury -- Kansas native Ellee Eck brings College World Series experience to WSU -- Pole vaulter hones creative skills through 'grandma hobbies' -- Track and field's Luke Porter is 'doing everything' in his power despite injury -- How two Canadian track and field freshmen are adjusting to life in Kansas -- Coach emphasizes holistic, fun approach to physical education -- Minarik bounces back to spring competition after elbow injury -- Piper Reams continues lineage of competitive bowlers -- Threat to tenure raises alarm: A Kansas House bill could transform tenure. Many in higher education worry about potential implications. -- Connie Morris, former Elliott School faculty, dies at 82 -- Gov. Kelly vetoes bill to ban gender affirming care for minors; it could still be passed by legislature -- Empowering Black history. Black History Month: The history and celebrations on campus -- Ulrich's new hours, upcoming events -- Got Trivia? A look inside trivia hosted at on-campus Fuzzy’s -- Rallies & volleys: Women's tennis wants to serve opponents in upcoming seasonPhotograph(s): A Shocker track athlete. p. 1 -- Ilias Worthington prepares to hit the ball during a singles match against a Drake University opponent. Worthington helped Wichita State secure a 7-0 win against the Bulldogs. p. 2 -- Junior Aranxta Cortez competes in the pole vault during the Coach Wilson Invitational. p. 2 -- Baseball and softball game schedule graphics. p. 3 -- Josh Livingston advances to third base in the bottom of the second inning against Oklahoma State during an April 2024 game. p. 4 -- Grant Adler winds up a pitch. Last season, Adler played for the University of Kansas. p. 4 -- Jace Miner pitches the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the 2021-2022 season. p. 4 -- Portrait of Michael Mulhollon. p. 4 -- Lauren Lucas expresses her joy as she runs through home plate during a preseason fall 2024 game against Southern Nazarene. Lucas missed all of the previous season with a shoulder injury. p. 5 -- Photo of Ellee Eck. p. 5 -- Freshman Abby Rexford uses her pole to launch herself over the bar. Rexford cleared a maximum height of 3.52 meters. p. 6 -- Photo of Luke Porter. p. 6 -- Adjunct instructor Remington Putter explains his snowball throwing activity in which students wrote on a piece of paper, crumpled it up and then threw it across the room. Putter is working towards a doctoral degree in educational leadership at WSU and is the Wichita State Disc Golf Club coach. p. 7 -- Students in adjunct instructor Remington Putter's class throw crumpled up pieces of paper across the room. The activity was meant to teach students how they could incorporate fun learning into their future classrooms. p. 7 -- Kristof Minarik sends the ball to a Drake University opponent during a Jan. 26 tennis match. p. 7 -- Photo of bowler Piper Reams. p. 7 -- Chase Billingham, an at-large faculty senator at Wichita State, speaks against recently proposed House Bill No. 2348. The bill was introduced to the Kansas Legislature by Rep. Steven Howe at the request of Emporia State University's General Counsel Steven Lovett. p. 8 -- Sen. Aaron Bowen addresses the Faculty Senate during its Feb. 10 meeting. p. 8 -- Portrait of Connie Morris, former Elliott School faculty. p. 8 -- A graphic from Fenway Health’s 2024 stands on display at the Black History Month celebration in Woolsey Hall. The African American Faculty Staff Association and Black Student Union hosted a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 7. p. 9 -- Black Student Union President Donovan McClellan serves ice and drinks to the attendees of the Black History Month celebration on Feb. 7 at Woolsey Hall. p. 9 -- Karen Wright, interim director for TRIO Student Services, smiles at the food set before her. She attended the Black History Month celebration at Woolsey Hall on Feb. 7. p. 9 -- Kevin Harrison makes an appearance at the Black History Month celebration. He was the guest speaker and was invited by the Black Student Union and the African American Faculty Staff Association. p. 9 -- Students line dance to the song "Can't Get Enough" by Tamia. Students and staff gathered at a Black Excellence celebration in Woolsey Hall on Feb. 7. p. 9 -- Max Gosch talks to his team during the first round of trivia questions. The topic was centered around Kayne albums and science fiction albums. p. 9 -- Junior Theodora Chantava returns a shot during doubles play of Wichita State’s Feb. 7 game against the University of Kentucky. Chantava and junior Kristina Kudryavtseva won their doubles matchup against the Wildcats, 6-2. p. 10 -- Kristina Kudryavtseva prepares for a point during her doubles match on Feb. 7. Kudryavtseva won in doubles play against Kentucky, but her singles match went unfinished. p. 10 -- Sophomore Giorgia Roselli screams in celebration after a point on Feb. 7. Roselli lost her doubles match, but swept her singles opponent from Kentucky en route to a WSU team victory. p. 10 -- Juniors Theodora Chantava and Kristina Kudryavtseva smile during their doubles matchup against Kentucky. The pairing won in doubles play and WSU beat the Wildcats, 4-2. p. 10 -- Sophomore Xin Tong Wang returns a volley on Feb. 7. Wang played on the top court, court one, as she's expected to do for the majority of the Wichita State season. p. 10 -- Junior Tatyana Nikolenko and senior Clara Whitaker cheer on their teammates during doubles play of WSU’s match against the Kentucky on Feb. 7. Wichita State secured a 4-2 victory, extending its winning streak to three. p. 10 -- Junior Tatyana Nikolenko prepares for her opponent to serve the ball at the Wichita Country Club. p. 1

Melodic intonation therapy via Zoom for a person with severe Broca's aphasia

Second place winner of poster presentations for Applied Sciences at the 24th Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) held in the Woolsey Hall, Wichita State University, April 25, 2025.Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person's ability to speak and understand language due to stroke or traumatic brain injury. Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) is an effective evidence-based aphasia therapy approach that uses intonation and rhythmic patterns to improve verbal phrase production and overall language performance. Many research studies have shown that MIT helps people with aphasia learn useful verbal phrases and improves their standardized language test scores. However, little is known about whether MIT is effective when delivered teletherapy. Also, little is known about what people with aphasia think about their experience participating in MIT. The current research focused on the following research questions: 1) Is MIT effective when conducted via teletherapy? 2) What does the participant with aphasia think about their experience doing MIT? These questions were investigated using a mixed methods design including quantitative ratings of speech accuracy for the phrases and qualitative analysis of a post therapy interview. One participant with aphasia from stroke was included in the study. Her speech accuracy for the phrases was measured seven times before, during, and after MIT teletherapy allowing effect sizes to be calculated using a single subject multiple baseline design. The results showed that the participant increased her accuracy for intermediate and complex phrases but made no significant increase for the short, simple phrases. Thematic analysis of her post-therapy interview revealed that she preferred teletherapy on her tablet because of the independence it allowed her. Additionally, she said that she would like to do more MIT in the future and would miss the clinician. Future research should include more participants with aphasia to find out whether these results generalize to the larger population of people with aphasia

The Sunflower, v.129, no.17 (January 30, 2025)

Article(s): 'It hurts my heart': University employee considers legal action after falling in unmarked hole -- Student body president race opens, SGA elections will be in April -- A year in review with Wichita Mayor Lily Wu -- Knights ride in: New fraternity joins Wichita State's Greek life -- Employee from page 1 -- New business center director brings broad experience -- Men's tennis wins regular season home debuts -- Slug fest: Men's basketball downed by late UNT push -- Women's basketball loses two close games against UAB, East Carolina -- Shockappella goes to outer space -- Here are some cuter than cupid Galentine's and Valentine's Day events -- 'Looking at art in a ritualistic sense': Ulrich unveils four exhibits in 50-year celebration -- Restricting press access is a step away from transparency. The rule against the media hurts journalists and the public -- The Crown Uptown deserves better than petty ultimatums -- Revolutions in Wichita: More than 180 athletes traveled to Wichita for the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships.Photograph(s): The parking spot in front of the hole caused by the water pipe bursting. Neshia Greene fractured her wrist after falling into the hole. p. 1 -- Photo of sinkhole in the ground. p. 1 -- Sinkhole story illustration. p. 1 -- Portrait of Wichita Mayor Lily Wu. p. 1 -- Photo of Omega Delta Phi logo. p. 2 -- Denise Sherman works in her office at Woolsey Hall on Jan. 23. p. 2 -- Junior Kristof Minarik sends the ball to a Drake University opponent during a Jan. 26 tennis match. p. 3 -- Harlond Beverly celebrates after dunking the ball in the first half. Beverly scored two points in the Jan. 29 loss to North Texas. p. 3 -- Both teams fight for the rebound during the second half of Wichita State's game against UAB. The Shockers were defeated by the Blazers in overtime, 76-73. p. 3 -- Singers surround alternate Madelyn Jeantrout. The Shockapellas hosted an open dress rehearsal to prepare for their Nebraska competition. p. 4 -- Jamie Clark (left) and Jemma Rumbaugh (right) hold each other tight while singing "Die With A Smile." The Shockappella performance in Nebraska has a theme of outer space. p. 4 -- On Jan. 28, the Shockappella sing "Mary Magdalene." They will head to Nebraska to compete in International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA). p. 4 -- The Shockappellas sing "Saturn" by SZA. Singers hit their "Pitch Perfect" moment in their final dress rehearsal. p. 4 -- David De Buck reads the accompanying material for the “Devan Shimoyama Rituals” exhibit. Shimoyama focuses primarily in painting but uses a variety of medium and material. p. 4 --Valentine's Day illustrations. p. 4 -- Restricting press access illustration. p. 5 -- Portraits of Piper Pinnetti, opinion editor. p. 5 -- Illustration of The Crown Uptown being removed by construction truck. p. 5 -- Championship women competitor Sherry Zhang twists mid-air during her Short Program performance. Zhang placed fifth with a score of 67.42. p. 6 -- Danny O'Shea lifts skating partner Ellie Kam during the pair's Short Program performance. The duo came in first place with a score of 77.19. p. 6 -- Linzy Fitzpatrick and Keyton Bearinger strikes a dramatic pose during the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships hosted in Wichita last week. The duo placed 12th with a final score of 44.25 in the Championships Pairs competition. p. 6 -- Bradie Tennell leaps during her Championship Women / Short Program performance on Jan. 23. Tennell was awarded second place with a score of 71.23. p. 6 -- Nica Digerness reaches for her skating partner Mark Sadusky during the pair's Championship Pairs / Short Program performance. Digerness and Sadusky placed ninth with a score of 57.02 at the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. p. 6 -- Alysa Liu glides on the ice at the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships to compete for a spot in the 2025 Olympics. Liu placed first in the Championship Women / Short Program with a score of 76.36. p. 6 -- Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea await their results after competing in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships' pairs event. The pair received a score of 77.19, securing them the first place win. p.