Rare Earth Element Microanalysis

Rare earth elements (REE) are critical elements in the technology and energy production sectors as they are used in everything from smartphones to wind turbines. The demand for these materials has seen steady growth and production is lagging. The laboratory supports several projects within the USGS that are characterizing rare earth element minerals from Bokan Mountain and Dora Bay, Alaska, Mountain Pass, California, Elk Creek, Nebraska, Iron Hill, Colorado, and beach sands from the eastern U.S.