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Enhancing and Diversifying Supply Research Highlights

Water leaching of vacuum distilled selenium residue for platinum group metals (PGMs) enrichment and recovery

CMI researchers at Missouri S&T conducted the research for this highlight

XRD of the aqua regia leach residue showing the absence of PGMs and Ag found as a chloride.

Diversifying lithium supply, brines to hard-rock minerals: Mechanochemical and Vacuum-Induced Thermal Extraction of Lithium (MELLT/VITELiS)

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Infographic showing the VITELiS approach for Li-extraction from α-spodumene

Exclusive global license to Bayan for CMI-supported rare earth elements (REE) processing technologies

CMI researchers at Colorado School of Mines conducted the research for this highlight

Integrated Mines patent flowsheet for Mountain Pass–style bastnaesite ore, showing Bayan’s pathway from ore to high-value REE products with higher recoveries and lower reagent use.

Summer intern trained in ligand-lanthanide complexation

CMI researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Sophia presents a poster highlighting her research accomplishments on the CMI project at the ORNL Summer Student Poster Event (Friday, August 1, 2025).

CMI establishes 24-stage mixer settler capability for critical material separations

CMI researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Image of the mixer settler system installed in a ventilated enclosure within the radiological facility. The controllers are placed on top of the enclosure, and liquid feed/collection containers will be positioned beneath the work surface. The mixer settler units are accessible from all four sides via sliding doors.

NEAREST (Neutral Ligand-Based REE Separation Technology): scaling neutral-ligand REE separations with mixer settlers

CMI researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Schematic illustration of the initial separation stages: pre-equilibration of the DGA-6 solvent with HCl, extraction of heavy REEs (HREEs), and scrubbing of the HREE-loaded DGA-6 with concentrated NaCl to remove co-extracted HCl and light REEs (LREEs). Further optimization of flow rates and mixing rates is underway. Subsequent steps include (1) selective extraction of Nd-Pr with La-Ce remaining in the raffinate, and (2) selective scrubbing to recover individual REEs from the HREE-loaded DGA-6 solvent.

CMI Leadership Academy alum earns ORNL highest recognition

CMI researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

person head and shoulders: Michael McGuire, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Former CMI leader wins 2025 Carl Hanson Award, the highest international recognition for achievement in solvent extraction

CMI researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

person head and shoulders: Bruce Moyer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

CMI Focus Area Lead provides keynote address at Extractive Metallurgy International Conference

CMI researchers at Missouri S&T conducted the activity for this highlight

person head and shoulders: Michael Moats, Missouri S&T

Comparative LCA of germanium production from unconventional sources using chlorinated distillation and solvent extraction

CMI researchers at Missouri S&T conducted the research for this highlight

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