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
Research Highlight
AI algorithm and dataset for metal-binding selectivity predictions
Lanthanide extractants with improved properties identified
Research Highlight
Flawless mixer-settler run with CMI diglycolamide REE extractant
Te in tailings can be bioleached; indigenous organisms contribute
Research Highlight
CMI-trained researcher moves from AI to neutrons
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 1.1.14: 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 1.1.17: 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"
CMI Project 1.2.16: Mechanochemical extraction of lithium at low temperature (MELLT) from chemical-grade domestic α-spodumenes
Ihor Hlova at Ames National Laboratory leads the CMI project "Mechanochemical extraction of lithium at low temperature (MELLT) from chemical-grade domestic α-spodumenes"
CMI Project 1.2.17: Transformative rare earth recovery with Al-accelerated ligand synthesis and separation
Long Qi at Ames Laboratory leads the CMI project "Transformative rare earth recovery with Al-accelerated ligand synthesis and separation"