Science Made Simple: What Are Critical Materials?

What Are Critical Materials?
Critical materials are substances that the U.S. government identifies as essential to energy technologies, economic and national security, and the manufacture of key products. This importance means the United States needs to ensure access to supplies of these materials. Supply chains that provide critical materials can be disrupted by events like sudden increases in demand, natural disasters that affect supply, and foreign governments restricting exports. The Department of Energy (DOE) has identified 18 critical energy materials that are important for the future of the energy sector.