Critical Materials Innovation Hub Research Highlights

CMI-trained researcher transitions from ASU to ORNL

CMI researchers at Arizona State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Collaborative development of a biorecovery process

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of Arizona, Purdue University, and Rutgers University conducted the activity for this highlight

image of motors, which are recyclable feedstock

Student publication receives Taggart Best Paper Award

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

picture of person: Congratulations to Vivek Kashyap, PhD 2021, Colorado School of Mines. Selected as co-recipient of the 2021 Arthur F. Taggart Award for the paper “Selective Extraction of Zinc from Zinc Ferrite,” Vivek Kashyap and Patrick Taylor, Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration 2021, 38, 27–36. Vivek is now employed at Brimstone Energy located in California.

CMI-trained researcher supports U.S. magnet industry at MP Materials

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

image of person, Dr. Kinjal Gandha Magnetics Engineer, MP Materials CMI Postdoc now in permanent position at MP Materials.

CMI-trained researcher supports critical materials research at Ames

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

photo of person, Xubo Liu Scientist 1, Ames Laboratory, U.S. DOE CMI postdoc now in permanent position at Ames Laboratory (U.S. DOE).

CMI-trained undergraduate researcher pursues career

CMI researchers at University of California-Davis conducted the activity for this highlight

photo of person, Nathan Soland PhD Student, UC Berkeley Chemistry, CMI undergraduate researcher now pursuing graduate studies in Sustainability at UC Berkeley.

Pathway for improved coercivity for La-Nd based magnet

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

line graph shows three curved lines representing hysteresis loops of (Nd0.75La0.25)2Fe12Co2B samples. R1-HT3: sintered magnet; S1-PrCu-HT3: sintered magnet coated with Pr-Cu powder and heat-treated; S1-PrAlCu-HT3: sintered magnet coated with Pr-Al-Cu powder and heat-treated.

Reduced cobalt formulation of CMI “gap magnet” material CeCo5

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

bar graph shows magnetic performance parameters for the indicated materials.

Groundbreaking temperature-resistant Al-REE alloy

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Eck Industries conducted the activity for this highlight

Line graph shows trend for thermal coarsening at 300°C of Al-REE and high strength Al alloy 7075. The average size of strengthening particles in 7075 increases dramatically, reducing the hardness. In Al-REE, strengthening particle size and hardness are minimally changed by the same thermal exposure.

New iron-based ferromagnet CexZr1-xFe3

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Image shows scanning electron microscope (SEM) backscattered image of the new ferromagnet showing >90% single phase material