Critical Materials Innovation Hub Research Highlights

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

Nd-Fe-B magnets mechanical properties improved

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

$Image shows typical fracture pattern (red) in Nd-Fe-B sintered magnet (black: Nd-oxide phase)$

Isolation of a native microbe with potential for bioleaching Te

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory and Purdue University conducted the research for this highlight

Image: Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of biofilm harvested under Fe(II)-oxidizing conditions.

Dynamic supply and demand model integrated with TEA

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory and Purdue University conducted the research for this highlight

Sustainable acid-free dissolution recycling of rare earth elements from NdFeB magnet swarf

CMI researchers at Purdue University, Arizona State University and Ames Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

bar graph compares the characterized global warming potential of acid-free process with different REE production routes in China

Al-Ce alloys provide economical silicon-free Al-casting solutions

CMI researchers at University of Tennessee Knoxville with industry partners Eck Industries, Shiloh and Borg Warner conducted the research for this

bar graph shows the cost of silicon in aluminum alloys follow the same trend due to its use as a primary alloying element in 4%–20% by weight.

Biological separation of REE using an immobilized protein

CMI researchers at Idaho National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Pennsylvania State University conducted the research for this highlight

$graphs show Lanmodulin enables high-purity separation of Nd/Dy. A solution comprising a 5:95 mixture of Dy:Nd (pH 3) was subjected to two coupled adsorption/desorption cycles. The first cycle (left panel) generated a high-purity Nd solution (99.9%) and an upgraded Dy (44% Dy/ 56% Nd) solution. The upgraded Dy solution was used as a feed solution in a second adsorption/desorption cycle (right panel) to generate high-purity Dy and Nd fractions. The duration of each pH step is depicted by the dark gray dashed$

Water-additives on the electrochemical REM production in ionic liquid system

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

Graph with bars that show show FE and points that show chronoamperometric current densities for Dy(OTf)3 reduction in BMPyOTf at different water contents.