Infographic: Rare Earths, The Technology Metals In this infographic, we look at how rare earth elements are an essential input for most of the technology we use today. Rare earths are used to build high powered magnets, lasers, and modern displays – all things we need to make things like iPads, TVs, hybrid vehicles, medical equipment, smart phones, portable x-ray machines, wind turbines, speakers, microphones, and headphones.