CMI researcher Ryan Ott leads the CMI project on rapid assessment methodologies. This includes using 3d printing for discovering new materials and this video on The Ames Laboratory's YouTube channel.
He's also the Ames Laboratory’s lead researcher on a project focused on improving Al recycling via additions of overly-produced lathanides. The project harnesses fundamental materials science to help address rare earth supplies by finding high-volume applications for elements like Ce, which must be processed during mining to acquire the more valuable rare earth elements such as Nd and Dy. “…we need to do fundamental research to solve many of the big scientific challenges we are facing,” says Ott. “My goal is to provide the connection between that fundamental science and an application to create new technologies.”
The Ames Laboratory is helping Ott reach his goals, through research that focuses on a range of topics that are important to energy technologies. “Here at the Ames Lab there is great amount of materials synthesis and research capability,” says Ott. “Working here puts you in contact with collaborators and staff that are just excellent sources of knowledge. That’s especially notable in rare-earth research, where Ames Lab has very long and distinguished history.”