Dysprosium, Terbium, Neodymium, and World Politics

Today's New York Times:

China currently accounts for 93 percent of production of so-called rare earth elements — and more than 99 percent of the output for two of these elements, dysprosium and terbium, vital for a wide range of green energy technologies and military applications like missiles.

Deng Xiaoping once observed that the Mideast had oil, but China had rare earth elements. As the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has done with oil, China is now starting to flex its muscle.

These elements are important for the magnets needed for advanced electric motors used, among other things, for hybrid cars like my Priuses. See the full article.

hat tip: Michael Froomkin

Posted by Michael Fuson