Unique rare earth glazed ceramics products -- developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Baotou Rare Earth Research and Development Center -- went on display at a new products launch event held on June 21, attracting global attention, according to a report in the Baotou Daily.

The rare earth glaze ceramics project is one of the key initiatives taken by CAS’s Baotou center.

Through independent R&D, the rare earth elements are combined with traditional minerals and the unique layered structure is used to add color to the glaze. It is then fired up to a temperature of about 1,300 degrees Celsius to form glazed effects such as snowflakes, rainbows, cherry blossoms, shining stars and ice cracks.

The surface is resistant to wear, corrosion and radiation. The ceramic pieces have both practical and artistic value.

The rare earth-modified inorganic antibacterial component in the rare earth glaze can effectively destroy bacterial cell membranes and inhibit the proliferation of bacteria, thereby exerting an antibacterial effect.