“Rare Earth Element-Based Magnets: Science, Supply and Sustainability in the 21st Century”
MIT Lincoln Laboratory, 244 Wood Street, Lexington, Massachusetts, United States, 02421The United States remains critically dependent on foreign—particularly Chinese—sources for rare earth elements (REEs), which underpin a vast array of modern technologies. These materials are indispensable to defense platforms, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, drones, robotics, medical diagnostics, telecommunications infrastructure, and consumer electronics. Today, nearly 90% of U.S. critical materials are imported from Asia-Pacific suppliers, exposing the nation to significant risks, including price volatility, geopolitical leverage, and potential supply chain interruptions during periods of global or regional instability. This presentation focuses on rare-earth-based permanent magnets—the highest-value use of REEs and the heart of many advanced STEM applications. We explore three interconnected dimensions: • REE Science and Technologies: the physics, chemistry, and materials engineering that enable world-class magnetic performance. • Sustainability and Environmental Impact: mining, separation, processing, and the urgent need for greener, more efficient production pathways. • Supply, Industrial Base, and Policy: current chokepoints, global competition, and U.S. national-security implications heading into 2026. We further examine emerging strategies in domestic and allied sourcing, circular-economy approaches such as recycling and magnet-to-magnet recovery, and re-engineering components to reduce or diversify REE demand. Finally, we outline actionable steps the global community can take to mitigate China’s overwhelming dominance in rare earths—strengthening supply chain resilience, promoting technological innovation, and ensuring secure access to the critical materials that power the 21st-century economy. Speaker(s): Vincent G. Harris, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, 244 Wood Street, Lexington, Massachusetts, United States, 02421