Rare Earth Metals & Elements | Definition, Properties, and Uses
Discover what rare earth elements and metals are, their unique properties, and why they’re essential for modern technology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
www.wpi.eduRare rare-earth elements are a group of 17 featuring scandium, yttrium, the 15 lanthanides ranging from lanthanum to lutetium, occurring together in numerous ore sources that are critical for magnets, catalysts, as well as clean-energy tech. Cerium the most abundant REE in the crust, whereas promethium is not naturally occurring and is radioactive. Global supply chains have long depended on a limited number of nations for mining and processing, driving ongoing diversification efforts and price volatility due to mining, processing, and geopolitical factors. U.S.-based Molycorp began production at Mountain Pass and targets full capacity to reach 19,050 metric tons, with a separation plant at Mountain to processing. Rare earth elements are found in catalysts and magnets across modern technology, driving clean-energy apps and advanced manufacturing. Their worldwide significance has prompted diversification and supply chain reforms to reduce price swings from mining, processing, and geopolitics. Overall, rare-earth elements continue to be vital for modern technology in green energy advancement.