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In technologies including smartphones , vapid - panel TVs , intercrossed auto and breaking wind turbines , a number of element with exotic names present important components . But the elements ’ speedy rise from lab rarity to helping supply the meat of modern electronics has put mental strain upon existing supply mountain chain , and experts interest that any supply dislocation could slow down the stride of innovation . Now countries all over the world have start out racing to secure unexampled reserves , boost recycling and get hold fabric substitute for these vim - critical materials .

Department of Energy - Critical Elements and their exercise :

Infographic: Facts about the rare earth elements used in electronics manufacturing.

Rare earths play a crucial role in the manufacture of modern electronics gear.

• Helium chills magnets used in medical scanner and pressurize rockets .

• Indium is used in melted crystal presentation and a ingredient for solar dialog box .

• Platinum is used in pollution ascendancy machine for cars , and in fuel cells .

An active fumerole in Iceland spews hydrogen sulfide gas.

Rare Earth Elements :

• Yttrium is used in optical maser technology , superconductors and   microwave filters .

• Neodymium is used in magnets , optical maser engineering science and radiation filtering .

Grand Prismatic Spring, Midway Geyser, Yellowstone.

• Europium is used in televisions , laser technology and atomic reactors .

• Terbium is used in fuel cells , electronic devices and sonar scheme .

atomic number 66 is used in magnet , optical maser technology and atomic reactors .

Digital generated image of solar panel with purple -blue reflection.

In 2009 , world product of rarified dry land elements totaled 126,230 metric loads , withChinaproducing 95 % of the Earth ’s sum . The U.S. currently imports all of its rare earths from China , France , Japan and Austria .

A cross-section of the new copper alloy, with the orange dots representing copper atoms, the yellow tantalum atoms, and the blue lithium atoms.

A top down view of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory�s 1960s molten salt reactor experiment, an early precursor to the Chinese reactor.

Person holding a processor in gloved hands.

camera, binoculars and telescopes on a red, white and blue background

A study participant places one of the night vision lenses in their eye.

celestron nature dx 8x42

A detailed visualization of global information networks around Earth.

Sony A7 III sample

Infographic: The layers and functions of the human skin.

science budgets for federal government

infographic of nuclear power plant

Fukushima fuel rod infographic

infographic of human body sweat

Today�s GoFIgure looks at phobias, defined as irrational fears of things which are not likely to be dangerous.

an abstract image of intersecting lasers