Critical Materials Innovation Hub Research Highlights

CMI scientists volunteer for Iowa Regional Science Bowl

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Pictured February 08, 2026: Melanie S. Guerrero (left) and Denis Prodius (right) at the Iowa Regional Middle School Science Bowl hosted by Ames National Laboratory and held at Iowa State University.

Advancing coercivity in Ce2Fe17N3-based alloys

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Third quarter hysteresis loops of aligned powder in Ce2Fe17N3-based alloys through optimized Ce/Sm substitution and ball-milling processing, with coercivities as high as 3.1 kOe.

High conversion of NdCl3 to Nd metal using chloride molten salt electrolysis

CMI researchers at Case Western Reserve University conducted the research for this highlight

Two ~15 g Nd metal samples collected after separate feed cycles

CMI-trained researcher hired as Scientist I

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

CMI, Ames National Laboratory host ribbon cutting ceremony

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

CMI and Ames National Laboratory hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 10. The ribbon is cut by David Cook, Iowa State University President, Karl Mueller, Ames National Laboratory Director, and Audrey Robertson, DOE Assistant Secretary of Energy (EERE), Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, with Dan Culhane, President & CEO, Ames Regional Economic Alliance.

CMI leaders lead panel discussion at Magnetics 2026

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Dexter Magnetics, Terves and Momentum Technologies conducted the activity for this highlight

CMI Developing Substitutes Focus Area Lead David Parker (shown left) led the panel discussion with CMI Developing Substitutes Deputy Ikenna Nlebedim (shown right) and representatives from three CMI Team members (center three people, from left): Bo Zhang, Dexter Magnetics; Andrew Sherman, Terves; and Preston Bryant, Momentum Technologies.

CMI hosts U.S. Department of Energy senior leadership

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

CMI Director Tom Lograsso, Ames National Laboratory (shown holding vial), describes CMI research from the Controlled Atmosphere Materials Processing System (CAMPS) laboratory to U.S. Department of Energy senior leadership, including Audrey Robertson, DOE Assistant Secretary of Energy (EERE), Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) (shown left), with Ames National Laboratory Director Karl Mueller (shown right).

CMI organizes youth event for National Engineers Week and introduces new toolkit activity

CMI researchers at Colorado School of Mines conducted the activity for this highlight

111 students participating in engineering challenges

Recovery, separation of gallium and germanium from zinc tailings

CMI researchers at Missouri S&T conducted the research for this highlight

bar graph and diagram highlight recoveries of Ga, Ge & Zn from Tar Creek tailings using a novel integrated flotation-roasting-leaching process

Mechanochemical extraction of lithium project recognized with Best Poster Presentation Award

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

CMI 2026 Winter Meeting Best Poster Award Adi Mussin , Colorado School of Mines