The CMI focus area Diversifying Supply researches how to expand sources of rare earth elements and critical materials, develop transformative processes and find new uses for co-products. Researchers leading projects in Diversifying Supply are located at Ames Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Colorado School of Mines, Missouri S&T, and University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
News & Highlights

Sorbents for lithium recovery from sulfate leachates

Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) determination of Al-Ce alloys via combinatorial thin-film synthesis

Novel extractants for lithium recovery from brines and minerals

Steelmaking waste offers potentially ample source of Ga, Ge & In
![images depict three ligands on bastnäsite-[100] with explicit solvation Bottom: Comparison of a ligand’s methyl orientation angle as measured by SFG spectra and predicted by DFT simulation for a studied ligand](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1300x1300/public/2022-07/cmi-highlight-360.png?itok=5xVkjDeZ)
Insights from molecular recognition inform rare-earth mineral beneficiation
Research Projects
CMI Project 1.1.11: Lithium extraction and conversion from brines
Parans Paranthaman at Oak Ridge National Laboratory leads the CMI project "Lithium extraction and conversion from brines"
CMI Project 1.1.12: Critical material recovery from ores and lean sources
Vyacheslav Bryantsev at Oak Ridge National Laboratory leads the CMI Project "Critical material recovery from ores and lean sources"
CMI Project 1.1.13: Recovery of critical materials as by-products
Corby Anderson at Colorado School of Mines leads the CMI project "Recovery of critical materials as by-products"

CMI Project 1.1.14: Biologically-mediated recovery of tellurium from mine waste
Yoshiko Fujita at Idaho National Laboratory leads the CMI project "Biologically-mediated recovery of tellurium from mine waste"
CMI Project 1.1.15: Physio-chemical beneficiation of cobalt-bearing Iron Creek ores
Corby Anderson at Colorado School of Mines leads the CMI project "Physio-chemical beneficiation of cobalt-bearing Iron Creek ores"
CMI Project 1.1.17: Dissolution by design: selective leaching of rare earth elements using smart lixiviants
Nikki Thiele at Oak Ridge National Laboratory leads "Dissolution by design: selective leaching of rare earth elements using smart lixiviants"
CMI Project 1.1.18: Gallium, indium and germanium extraction from zinc residue produced for steel wastes
Michael Moats at Missouri S&T leads the project "Gallium, indium, and germanium extraction from zinc residue produced for steel wastes"
CMI Project 1.2.11: New in-silico molecular design methods for improved separations
Marilu Perez at Ames Laboratory leads the CMI Project "New in-silico molecular design methods for improved separations"
CMI Project 1.2.14: Enhanced separation of critical materials
Santa Jansone-Popova at Oak Ridge National Laboratory leads the CMI project "Enhanced separation of critical materials"

CMI Project 1.2.15: Unlocking domestic cobalt production through electrochemical capture of arsenic
Luis Diaz Aldana at Idaho National Laboratory leads the CMI project "Unlocking domestic cobalt production through electrochemical capture of arsenic"