Critical Materials Institute

The Critical Materials Institute is a U.S. DOE Energy Innovation Hub led by Ames Laboratory, and supports early-stage research to advance innovation in U.S. manufacturing. CMI seeks ways to eliminate and reduce reliance on rare-earth metals and other materials critical to the success of clean energy technologies.

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Focus Areas

Diversifying Supply

Developing Substitutes

Reuse and Recycling

Crosscutting Research

News & Highlights

All News | All Highlights

In the News

INL: Looking to the salvage yard for rare earth elements

Al-Ce alloy-based turbocharger compressor wheels from 6” to 0.3” produced by Additive Manufacturing using newly designated aluminum-cerium alloy.

Research Highlight

Al-Ce alloys designated by Aluminum Association

Flotation experiment, showing bastnaesite-rich froth

Research Highlight

Improved flotation of bastnaesite from ore promises greater rare earth output from mines

Research Highlight

Forward-osmosis technology concentrates lithium chloride, enabling recovery from geothermal brine

Research Highlight

Ce-based gap magnets match high-temperature performance of neo

CMI Speeds Innovation

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Invention Disclosures

R&D 100 Awards

U.S. Patents

Licensed Technologies

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The Critical Materials Institute focuses on technologies that make better use of materials and eliminate the need for materials that are subject to supply disruptions.

About CMI
CMI Research
CMI Invention Disclosures CMI technology is available for licensing
Workforce Development
Membership

CMI technology is available for licensing

Going from an idea to a licensed technology in just two years is exactly what CMI is intended to do, and we've proven we can do it.
”

Alex King

CMI Founding Director