Critical Materials Innovation Hub News

CMI researchers address domestic neodymium supply chain

CMI research described in story from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory about research collaboration between LLNL, Case Western Reserve University and Ames National Laboratory.

ORNL: Moyer earns Carl Hanson Award for excellence in solvent extraction

One of CMI's long-time leaders received an international award.

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

CMI project lead receives Hero of Industry Award

CMI Project Lead Patrick Zhang, Florida Industrial & Phosphate Research Institute (FIPR Institute) received the annual Hero of Industry Award from the Florida Section of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration.

image of plaque with a seal and text: The Florida Section of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Presents this Hero of Industry Award to Patrick Zhang in recognition and appreciation of exemplary professional service which has contributed significantly to the continuing vitality of the Mining Industry, 2025

Stars of ESC2025

When the E-Scrap Conference convenes in October, one of the freshest voices to join the stage will be Ikenna Nlebedim of Ames National Laboratory. He is set to appear on a session exploring rare earth recovery and recycling, a subject that has never been more critical as the industry pushes to secure essential materials in smarter, cleaner ways.

Momentum Technologies expands platform to support national supply chain for rare earth elements

Momentum Technologies Expands Platform to Support National Supply Chain for Rare Earth Elements: Initially the MSX technology was developed by CMI researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. It is licensed to Momentum, which has continued to develop the process as it scales it from laboratory bench to commercial scale.

CMI project lead named in World's Top 2% Scientist list

CMI Project Lead Patrick Zhang, Florida Industrial & Phosphate Research Institute (FIPR Institute) and Florida Polytechnic University, is named to the Stanford University's prestigious World's Top 2% Scientists annual list.

Azo Materials: New technology for processing rare earth metals licensed to Principal Mineral

Azo Materials pick-up on Ames Lab news release: https://www.ameslab.gov/news/cmi-technology-for-rare-earth-processing-licensed-to-principal-mineral

CMI technology for rare earth processing licensed to Principal Mineral

Researchers have developed a new technology for processing rare earth metals that has now been licensed to Principal Mineral.

Licensed ORNL technology makes magnets with fewer critical minerals

Sharing story about CMI technologies at Oak Ridge National Laboratory licensed.

ORNL: Licensed ORNL technology makes magnets with fewer critical minerals

CMI Team member Oak Ridge National Laboratory shared story of licensing CMI technology for making magnets with fewer critical minerals

image of brown powder is a rare earth oxide recovered from scrap metal, photo credit Carlos Jones, ORNL, US Department of Energy