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pencilvanian
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2209 Posts |
 Posted - 03/24/2007 : 18:57:44
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A metal that has been overlooked by almost all is beginning to move into position as a Rare Earth Element, something electronics manufacturers need but supply is not keeping up with demand. (Where have we seen this before?)
What is this metal that if the supply were disrupted or cut off completely electronic devices would end up costing much more, if they could be built at all?
It is a metal called Tantalum.
Never heard of it? No suprise, its usefulness didn't really come into its own until the demand for miniature capacitors for cell phones, ipods, palm pilots, etc. took off.
Much like the way nickel's price is partly determined because of its use in stainless steel, tantalum's price is determined by the demand for miniturized capacitors.
news story
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Finding a recycler willing or able to recycle this metal from capacitors may develop in the future if supplies remain tight.
If the tantalum price goes up as fast as nickel's price did, expect some recycler somewhere to offer to buy that old broken laptop or cell phone for the metal inside.
Tantalum, the new nickel?
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Keep an eye out for this metal in the future
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