The DOE's latest round of funding focuses on finding alternatives to rare earth metals, which are found in everything from wind turbines to computer hard drives.READ»
Most of our modern technology is powered by a few very rare elements. Most of those elements aren't found in the United States. Until we find new solutions, we're at the mercy of other countries.READ»
These elements are the building blocks of a modern society, and China has all of them. Until now. The U.S. mining industry is starting to catch up.READ»
Any country with significant coal reserves and a government that pays little attention to safety and environmental hazards stands to profit handsomely. Enter China, dubbed the "new Middle East" by one coal exec. READ»
Earlier this week, China halted all shipments of rare earth metals to Japan. That's bad news for batteries, lasers, wind turbines and solar panels. READ»
So much for free trade. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is weighing a total ban on exports of rare earth metals, naturally occurring materials that are necessary for the production of next-gen batteries, hybrid ...READ»
