The US Department of Energy has announced it is going to build a hi tech rare earth research centre in Ames, Iowa. The production facility and development centre will cost more than $120 million as the USA, who have found rare earth deposits in 14 states,
take on China who at present have a virtual monopoly on the rare earth elements. China currently produces 95% of the world’s rare earth elements. This new centre in Iowa would wean the Americans off of the Chinese supply which is worrying many power players.
Rare earths are chemical elements used to make many hi tech products such as the iPad and iPhone as well as many desktop PCs. They are also used to create wind turbines, electric cars and solar panels.
For the scientists among us you can find the list of the 17 rare elements are: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_earth_element
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