New company arising out of CMI innovation ecosystem

image of person head and shoulders - Alexa Schmitz, CEO and co-founder of REEgen.
Alexa Schmitz, CEO and co-founder of REEgen.

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

Innovation 
A company offering innovative rare earth element (REE) recovery technologies whose origins were based on discussions with CMI researchers during Phase I and Phase II.

Achievement
REEgen is a start-up based in Ithaca, NY that is developing biologically-based technologies for leaching and separating REEs, using genetically-optimized microorganisms. The founder credits idea exchanges with CMI researchers for motivating her work and creation of the company.

Significance and Impact

  • Supporting the broader critical materials innovation ecosystem. 
  • Supporting workforce development in critical materials.

Hub Target Addressed 
Providing the leaders, technical experts and skilled professionals needed by U.S. industry to assure supply chains.

Discussions with and advice from CMI researchers David Reed (left) and Yoshiko Fujita (right) led to the ideation of a new company based on microbially-facilitated recovery of rare earths.
Discussions with and advice from CMI researchers David Reed (left) and Yoshiko Fujita (right) led to the ideation of a new company based on microbially-facilitated recovery of rare earths.


 

For the CMI Webinar in August 2024, guest speaker Alexa Schmitz, REEgen, described "Genetic strategies for commercializing rare earth biomanufacturing." Link to webinar