Why ocean mud might matter to your future iPhone

Odds are, if you name any electronic device, it relies on a group of metals known as the rare earths. These metals (most are found on the periodic table in the Lanthanide group) have special properties useful for a wide range of things like magnets, batteries, lasers, lamps, X-ray scanners, and catalysts. Without them, you can’t make wind turbines or smart phones or hybrid cars, so global demand is high and getting higher.