Instead of traditional crystalline silicon solar panels, it will be using thin film solar, which uses elements other than silicon.

FORBES: Wal-Mart Taps SolarCity, Miasole and FirstSolar For Power On 20 Stores

In addition to these goodies, the solar wind carries light elements such as helium to the moon's surface and leaves them there.

ECONOMIST: Spaceflight

Astrophysicists will also use it to try to re-create the conditions at the center of supernovas, to understand how the elements that make up our solar system--and our bodies--are created.

FORBES: A Nuclear Hybrid

Specialty metals include metals like rare earth elements, which are being used more often in applications such as consumer electronics, solar panels and magnets used to power hybrid vehicles.

FORBES: INTERVIEW: Recycling Of Specialty Metals Needs Improvement - Yale Researcher

Besides being used for hi-tech gadgets, the elements are also crucial for manufacturing low-carbon resources such as wind turbines, solar panels and electric cars, said David Danielson, the US assistant secretary for renewable energy.

BBC: US to build $120m rare earth research institute