Rare Earths and Beyond: The Mineralogical Foundations of Modern Cellphones

We’re excited to invite you to an engaging presentation by Michael Wise, research scientist at the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Wise is a leading expert on pegmatites – remarkable rock formations that host some of the rarest and most beautiful minerals on earth. These minerals may look like dazzling museum specimens, but they also power the technology we carry every day. As a contributor to the Smithsonian’s exhibition “Cellphone: Unseen Connections,” he helped reveal the surprising journey from molten formation to the device in your pocket. Join us as he explores the fascinating story of how minerals formed millions of years ago became essential components in modern cellphones.