CMI rare earth metal production technology licensed

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation  
A CMI technology developed at Ames National Laboratory is now licensed to Principal Mineral, bringing the cumulative total of CMI technologies licensed to 25.

Achievement 

  • The Rare Earth Metals via Alternative Fluoride Salt (REMAFS) process is based on metallothermic reduction of Na-RE-F or similar salts, produced without the use or generation of HF.  
  • The CMI project team has demonstrated that the REMAFS achieves an equivalent magnet grade (N40) compared with a magnet of similar elemental constitution made with commercially available rare earth metals.

Significance and Impact 
This technology supports domestic neodymium metal and Nd-Fe-B magnet production.

Hub Targets Addressed  

  • Win industry adoption of three CMI developed technologies 
  • Energy-efficient REE metal production 
     
image of eight people standing by a table
Pictured at Ames National Laboratory: CMI Project Lead Denis Prodius, CMI Focus Area Deputy Ikenna Nlebedim, Principal Mineral Chief Technology Officer Judodine Nichols, CMI Director Tom Lograsso, Ames National Laboratory Chief Research Officer Jamie Morris. Seated, from left: Ames National Laboratory Associate General Counsel Julie Walker, Principal Mineral Chief Executive Officer Adam Johnson, and Ames National Laboratory Director Adam Schwartz.