Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant contributions of Xu Guangxian, known as the "Father of Rare Earths" in China, who transformed the country's rare earth industry from a low-value exporter to a leading producer and innovator in rare earth extraction and processing technologies [5][32]. Group 1: Historical Context - In the 1970s, China, despite having the largest rare earth resources, was exporting raw materials at low prices and importing processed products at much higher costs [5][20]. - Xu Guangxian's innovative extraction methods, particularly the development of the "extraction method," revolutionized the rare earth industry, allowing China to achieve high purity levels and significantly reduce production costs [18][20]. Group 2: Xu Guangxian's Contributions - Xu Guangxian introduced the "drawer classification method" as a scientific approach to organize knowledge, which later became foundational in his research on rare earths [9][31]. - His team achieved a remarkable separation coefficient of 4 for praseodymium and neodymium, setting a world record and increasing purity to 99.99% [18][20]. - The introduction of a simplified industrial production process allowed for rapid scaling of rare earth extraction, reducing the time required for experiments from over 100 days to less than a week [19][20]. Group 3: Industry Impact - By the early 1990s, China's production of high-purity rare earths surged, leading to a 30%-40% drop in international prices and forcing foreign producers to reduce or halt production [20][32]. - The rapid increase in production led to a situation where prices were driven down to unsustainable levels, with some rare earths being sold at prices comparable to pork [22][32]. Group 4: Environmental and Strategic Concerns - Xu Guangxian raised alarms about the unsustainable extraction rates of rare earths, warning that China could deplete its resources within 20 years if current practices continued [22][32]. - In 2005, he and other academicians urged the government to protect rare earth resources, leading to restrictions on mining to ensure sustainable practices [23][32]. Group 5: Legacy and Recognition - Xu Guangxian's work laid the groundwork for China to dominate the global rare earth market, with over 60% of global production and 92% of processing as of 2023 [32]. - His dedication to education and mentorship has resulted in a new generation of scientists, contributing to the ongoing development of the rare earth industry in China [25][32].