DARPA Looks to Microbes to Process Rare Earth Elements

Rare earth elements — a group of 17 metals, including neodymium — are used in lasers, precision-guided weapons, magnets for motors and other devices that are at the heart of many critical technologies the Defense Department depends on. While the U.S. has domestic access to rare earth elements, it doesn't have a strong domestic base for processing that supply, Stefanie Tompkins, director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, said during an online discussion today at the 5th Annual Defense News Conference. USS Stockdale The USS Stockdale steams in formation with other ships and aircraft, including the USS Carl Vinson, July 11, 2021, in the Pacific Ocean. SHARE IMAGE: var addthis_co...