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

TdVib receives $200,000 STTR award from US Department of Energy to Develop Innovative Critical Materials Recycling Method

Feature Story

Ames Lab accelerates commercialization of CMI technologies through Innovation Partnerships Program

CMI researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory used a naturally occurring protein, lanmodulin, a small protein, to extract, purify and recycle rare earth elements from various sources, including electronic waste.

In the News

LLNL: E-waste-eating protein creates rare earth elements

In the News

Ames Tribune: Energy secretary says research at Ames Lab is critical to reducing reliance on China for rare minerals

Des Moines Register report on the U.S. Secretary of Energy visit to Ames Laboratory: CMI Director Tom Lograsso (left) describes the award winning, patented acid-free dissolution process developed by CMI researchers to U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette, who looks at sample of shredded hard disk drive in the CAMPS laboratory.

In the News

Research conducted at Ames lab critical to national security, U.S. official says

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

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