Critical Materials Innovation Hub News

CMI wins awards in 2023 R&D 100 program

The Critical Materials Institute, an Energy Innovation Hub of the U.S. Department of Energy that is led by Ames National Laboratory, won five awards in 2023 R&D 100 programs, bringing the CMI total of awards won through these programs to a dozen.

Recycling revival: Jonathan Harter’s initiative brings creative problem-solving to EV battery recycling

ORNL story about a former CMI early career researcher "Recycling revival: Jonathan Harter’s initiative brings creative problem-solving to EV battery recycling"

image of person standing with laboratory equipment: Jonathan Harter, a technical professional in ORNL’s Energy Science and Technology Directorate, uses a robot and other automated methods to disassemble electric vehicle batteries for recycling or reuse in the electric grid.

OLI Systems: Accelerating critical materials processing innovation with chemistry insights

Story featuring CMI Team member OLI Systems: OLI Systems: Accelerating critical materials processing innovation with chemistry insights

R&D 100 Finalists for 2023 are announced

A total of 156 Finalists for the 2023 R&D 100 Awards have been announced by R&D World magazine. This renowned worldwide science and innovation competition, celebrating its 61st year, received entries from 15 different countries and regions. This year’s esteemed judging panel included 45 well-respected industry professionals from across the world.

NETL researcher talks on discovery of REEs from carbon ore deposits at Ramaco Research Rodeo

CMI Team members presented at one of the world’s leading research conferences focused on carbon and coal-to-products research. The Ramaco Research Rodeo v3.0 (R3) was hosted by Sheridan-based carbon technology and critical minerals company Ramaco Carbon with the International Centre for Sustainable Carbon, a technology collaboration program sponsored by the Paris-based International Energy Agency.

CMI partner scales new extractant for REE separation trials

CMI Team member Marshallton Research Laboratories worked with CMI researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory to develop a technology to help separate rare earth elements. Marshallton licensed the technology, and now is working on what comes next.

Florida company TAPs into answers

For a company in Florida, a simple internet search for information that could help him extract high-value minerals from used cellphones and laptops led to a connection at Idaho National Laboratory, then with DOE’s Energy I-Corps program and help through the lab’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP).

A once-shuttered California mine is trying to transform the rare earth industry

This media story describes CMI Affiliate MP Materials.

Rare Earths MMI: The Rare Earths Downward Spiral Finally Flattens

Article on rare earths notes CMI technology for acid-free dissolution recycling, which is licensed exclusively to TdVib in Boone, Iowa

Lithium extraction: prime time for brine

Story on lithium extraction includes Critical Materials Institute (CMI) work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory with sorbents