Rare-earth elements are finite and, yet, we depend on them for some of our most essential technologies, such as those that involve X-Rays, lasers and magnets. In order to head off the inevitable shortage of rare earth metals, the Critical Materials Institute at the US Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory is hoping to synthesize new ones with 3D metal printing. With a LENS MR-7 from Albuquerque-based 3D metal printer manufacturer Optomec, the CMI will develop new metal alloys to replace rare-earth elements found in critical technologies, like clean energy systems.…
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