Hafnium: you’ve never seen it, but your future depends on it

Most people in developed nations have no idea how much the technology they use everyday depends on Hafnium, nor how access to this minor but critical element will shape future world economics and politics. Shiny, silver and resisting corrosion, it’s named after the place where it was discovered in 1923: Hafnia (that’s Copenhagen, in Latin). […]

How to secure our critical rare earths supply: lessons from China

Not to advance is to drop back – Chinese proverb Rare earths are a group of 17 elements, known as the ‘vitamins of industry’ because many applications require only minute – but critical – amounts. Permanent magnets are an exception, being composed of 31% rare earths. Permanent magnets are the main driver of the US$3-4billion […]