Part 4/12:
Many Americans carry rare earths directly in their pockets through smartphones, which contain tiny neodymium magnets in their vibrators. These elements are also embedded within state-of-the-art refrigerators, precision thermostats, energy-efficient lighting, and air conditioning systems. In automobiles, particularly hybrid models like the Toyota Prius, roughly 25 pounds of rare earth materials are used in various components including electric motors and batteries.
Herbarium and gadolinium are employed in fiber optics and medical imaging, respectively. Their unique properties—light amplification, magnetic strength, phosphorescence—make modern electronics smarter, smaller, and more efficient. The reliance is profound: almost every aspect of modern life depends on rare earths in some form.