Rare earths are valuable for a range of technologies, most of all, for the electronics industry. Currently about 97% rare earths are supplied by China. US Department of Energy will fund Ames Lab to research for rare-earths alternatives for wind turbines and electric vehicles. Corporations are trying to mine rare earths in USA, Canada, Australia, Russia and Malaysia. Why are 17 rare earth elements, all vital to the electronics industry in some form? How are they used in high-tech products?
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