Description

In person or online here: https://utk.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=377ed317-8b7e-49e6-a45c-b06800e1f91c

The 2023-2024 National Security Forum series continues on March 6 as UTK's Dr. Deborah Penchoff talks about U.S. national security risks related to rare earth elements (REEs), which are essential components in everyday needs such as smartphones, computers, electric vehicles, and wind turbines, as well as military applications. 

Despite their name, these elements are relatively abundant but are found scattered across the Earth's crust, making their mining and processing challenging and environmentally taxing. The U.S. relies heavily on foreign sources for REEs, which presents strategic vulnerabilities in various domains, including technology, medicine, and green energy.

In this talk, Dr. Penchoff will discuss the uses, global distribution and deposits of REEs, production, and supply and the implications of national dependence for the U.S., focusing on the risks associated with supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and the potential for economic and strategic leverage by foreign powers.

Dr. Penchoff will also address national efforts to mitigate these risks, including initiatives to restart mining and processing capabilities, diversify supply sources, develop alternative materials, and foster international cooperation with countries that have significant REEs resources. Challenges and opportunities associated with these strategies, including environmental concerns and the need for technological innovation, will be highlighted.

Dr. Penchoff is Associate Director of the UT Innovative Computing Laboratory and Research Assistant Professor in UTK's Department of Nuclear Engineering.