A Guide To Our Diminishing Stockpile of Crucial Periodic Table Elements
Silicon, Tellurium and Platinum Check out more on Theodore Gray's book The Elements and his iPad app at popsci.com/theelements Courtesy Theodore GrayThe planet has limited resources of several important elements, many of which can do what no other element can. Here's what's left of the periodic table, and what would happen if we run out Most congresspeople probably haven't thought about chemistry since high school, but they'll soon have to in order to protect the economy. In March, Colorado representative Mike Coffman introduced a bill to ramp up mining of 17 "rare-earth" elements, so called because large deposits of them are hard to find. Some are essential for electric auto motors and laser defense systems, and with demand for those rising, now is the time to stock up. Launch the gallery here Rare-earths combine particularly easily with other elements to form useful compounds and alloys, such as neodymium-iron-boron, the strongest, lightest magnet for...