Why important?
- essential for economic development AND national security
- uneven distribution, concentration in few geographic locations
- supply chain vulnerabilities
- global race to acquire them
- What are we doing?
Usage
- solar energy: silicon, indium, gallium
- wind: dysprosium, neodymium
- EV: Li, Ni, Co (battery, motor)
- Energy Storage: Lithium ion batteries - Li, Ni, Co