Rare earth elements are a set of seventeen chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically the fifteen lanthanides and scandium and yttrium. Rare earth elements are neither rare, nor earth. They are relatively plentiful in the Earth’s crust, but are typically dispersed and found in low concentrations. 

Rare earth elements are integral to modern society and essential to America’s growth and national security. They have unique properties, unlike any other elements. Rare earth elements can be found in most modern technologies, such as computers, batteries, fuel additives, imaging technologies, communication systems, and displays, to name a few.