CMI Highlight: CMI summer intern advances REE separation research
CMI researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight.
Innovation
Rutendo Barara, a Chemistry graduate student at Michigan Technological University participated in the CMI summer internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory working on project 1.2.2. She focused on advancing rare earth element separation through hands on solvent extraction research.
Achievement
- Developed core knowledge of rare earth elements, their importance to advanced technology & national defense and the fundamentals of solvent extraction.
- Gained hands on experience with solvent extraction experiments, MICAP-OES operation and REE analysis, configured and optimized 22-stage mixer setter units, and process scale-up with flowsheet demonstration.
- Connected research with industry through a site visit at MP Materials and learned about challenges in scaling REE production.
Hub Target Addressed
Training the critical materials workforce of the future.
