Today's rechargeable batteries powering devices such as cameras, mobile phones, and laptops often rely on cobalt to help regulate their batteries' temperature. This helps to make them safer, last longer and store more power.

These qualities make cobalt attractive for use in larger batteries of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles.

Cobalt also finds applications in medical imaging technologies, and, as a superalloy, is used in aircraft engines and in hard metals used as sharp cutting edges or for drilling.