Abstract: A method for extracting rare earth metals (e.g., lanthanides and/or actinides) from aqueous solution, the method comprising: (i) acidifying an aqueous solution containing said rare earth metals with sulfuric acid to result in an acidified aqueous solution containing 1-12 M concentration of sulfuric acid; and (ii) contacting the acidified aqueous solution with an aqueous-insoluble hydrophobic solution comprising a rare earth extractant molecule dissolved in an aqueous-insoluble hydrophobic solvent to result in extraction of one or more of the rare earth metals into the aqueous hydrophobic solution, wherein the rare earth extractant molecule has the following structure: wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from hydrocarbon groups containing 1-20 carbon atoms, provided that the total carbon atoms in R1, R2, R3, and R4 is at least 12; and R5 and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen atom and hydrocarbon groups containing 1-3 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A cover plate for a rotor assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cover plate includes an annular member having a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion with respect to a longitudinal axis, the radially inner portion including an aft face and an angled forward face, the angled forward face defining a forward face angle with respect to a cylindrical plane that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis, the face angle having a value that is greater than or equal to fifty degrees; a first tab and a second tab disposed proximate the radially inner portion of the annular member; and a slot disposed between the first tab and the second tab.

Abstract: A cover plate for a rotor assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cover plate includes an annular member having a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion with respect to a longitudinal axis, the radially inner portion including an aft face and an angled forward face, the angled forward face defining a forward face angle with respect to a cylindrical plane that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis, the face angle having a value that is greater than or equal to fifty degrees; a first tab and a second tab disposed proximate the radially inner portion of the annular member; and a slot disposed between the first tab and the second tab.

Abstract: A method for extracting rare earth metals (e.g., lanthanides and/or actinides) from aqueous solution, the method comprising: (i) acidifying an aqueous solution containing said rare earth metals with sulfuric acid to result in an acidified aqueous solution containing 1-12 M concentration of sulfuric acid; and (ii) contacting the acidified aqueous solution with an aqueous-insoluble hydrophobic solution comprising a rare earth extractant molecule dissolved in an aqueous-insoluble hydrophobic solvent to result in extraction of one or more of the rare earth metals into the aqueous hydrophobic solution, wherein the rare earth extractant molecule has the following structure: wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from hydrocarbon groups containing 1-20 carbon atoms, provided that the total carbon atoms in R1, R2, R3, and R4 is at least 12; and R5 and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen atom and hydrocarbon groups containing 1-3 carbon atoms.