CMI researchers from Idaho National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight
Achievement
Reyixiati (Richard) Repukaiti, a former postdoctoral researcher at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), has taken a position as a process engineer working on molten salt electrolysis with CMI industry partner MP Materials, at its magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
Significance and Impact
At INL, he contributed to the current CMI project on thin film semiconductor recycling focusing on recovering tellurium and cadmium from end-of-life solar panels. Previously he worked on a CMI project aimed at mitigating arsenic releases associated with cobalt mining. Both projects rely on electrochemical methods to lower environmental footprints and improve economics.
Richard credited his involvement in the CMI ecosystem for his introduction to MP Materials and for learning about the job opportunity.
Hub Target Addressed
Providing the leaders, technical experts and skilled professionals needed by U.S. industry to assure supply chains.