Critical Materials Institute

The Critical Materials Institute is a U.S. DOE Energy Innovation Hub led by Ames Laboratory, and supports early-stage research to advance innovation in U.S. manufacturing. CMI seeks ways to eliminate and reduce reliance on rare-earth metals and other materials critical to the success of clean energy technologies.

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Focus Areas

Diversifying Supply

Developing Substitutes

Reuse and Recycling

Crosscutting Research

News & Highlights

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In the News

A new method to recover In, Ga, and Ge from zinc smelting

CMI Speeds Innovation

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Invention Disclosures

R&D 100 Awards

U.S. Patents

Licensed Technologies

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The Critical Materials Institute focuses on technologies that make better use of materials and eliminate the need for materials that are subject to supply disruptions.

About CMI
CMI Research
CMI Invention Disclosures CMI technology is available for licensing
Workforce Development
Membership

Going from an idea to a licensed technology in just two years is exactly what CMI is intended to do, and we've proven we can do it.
”

Alex King

CMI Founding Director

Critical Materials Institute

Diversifying Supply

Developing Substitutes

Reuse and Recycling

Crosscutting Research

Protein process may transform rare earths recovery

Deputy Secretary Menezes tours Critical Materials Institute

First Cobalt joins Critical Materials Institute

Potential Alnico-surpassing gap magnet

A new method to recover In, Ga, and Ge from zinc smelting