Heads up, people.
Folks are never informed about this matter because degrees in journalism require no knowledge beyond how to follow an editor’s narrative direction.
The single most important of these elements is neodymium and for some unfathomable reason, the public doesn’t know about it.
This material retains magnetism 1000s of times more readily than iron. A neodymium magnet is why we have cordless drills and saws and all sorts of tools on jobsites. It’s not lithium batteries. Without neodymium, those would drain in 2 or 3 minutes.
An electric motor is coils of wire in a magnetic field. Apply current to the coil and torque results. The stronger the mag field, the more forceful the torque. And the reverse, too. Apply torque mechanically and spin the coil or the magnet and current is created in the coil — aka generator or alternator.
Because of the awesome magnetic power of neodymium you get enormous results in motors and generators. Anything that needs a magnet can have a smaller one or more powerful one with neodymium (MRIs).
It is neodymium that affects civilization. The US doesn’t have much, processed or not. Stop with the kneejerk that the US always has everything it needs. As GPT how much neodymium is in the US and the answer will be XX million tons of RE elements, including neodymium. It’s always enshrouded like that.
Neodymiun is also used in doping solid state laser system crystals that are grown in boules. (Laser rods) Virtually every U.S. military rangefinder designator system uses these rods. Apache helicopters, F-18 Hornets and many more. Huh. I almost forgot I knew that. Lol
But what about Unobtainium?
Feb 2024
Estimated 2.34 billion Metric Tons of Rare Earth Minerals Discovered in US