Rare earths are today shaping conversations on electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced defence gear. Yet many people still misunderstand what “rare earths” actually are. Seventeen little-known elements underwrite the tech that energises modern life. Their baffling chemistry kept scientists scratching their heads for decades—until Niel

Rare earths are today steering conversations on electric vehicles, wind turbines and cutting-edge defence gear. Yet most readers still misunderstand what “rare earths” actually are. These 17 elements seem ordinary, but they anchor the devices we hold daily. Their baffling chemistry had scientists scratching their heads for decades—until Niel