To enable innovation in U.S. manufacturing and to enhance U.S. energy security, CMI develops, demonstrates, and deploys clean energy technology. To direct research in a way that minimizes time from discovery to deployment, the CMI team includes both research and industrial partners. Together they produce timely, relevant, and marketable scientific discoveries that alleviate the potential supply chain risks of critical materials.
CMI conducts research in four focus areas: Diversifying Supply, Developing Substitutes, Driving Reuse and Recycling, and Crosscutting Research.
Since CMI's inception, its researchers have published more than 555 scientific papers in scholarly journals.
Invention disclosures highlight areas where research may lead to a patent and licensing of a technology or progress. CMI researchers have created many invention disclosures and filed dozens of patent applications, with 31 patents issued. CMI researchers also have created half a dozen open source programs.
Ames Laboratory produced this video about "Tough SmCo," which was developed at Ames Laboratory with industry partner Energy Electron Corporation and won a 2021 R&D 100 Award.