A number of heavy elements provide essential properties to modern materials.  For example, dysprosium and neodymium in permanent magnets; tungsten in machinery, cutting tools and abrasives; and rhenium in superalloys.  Many of these heavy elements are 'critical' not only in the sense that they provide essential properties but also are subject to supply-chain risks.  This talk discusses the sources of these risks, their economic impacts, and the role public policy might play in assuring supplies of critical raw materials.

Critical elements and modern materials: Economic and policy perspectives

247th National Meeting (2014)

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