Critical materials research international knowledge exchange

CMI at Ames National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation 
CMI leaders and researchers led a delegation of U.S. critical material biotechnology researchers and innovators to visit university-led critical material research programs in Birmingham and Manchester, United Kingdom, in early December 2024.

Achievement
The U.S. delegation participated in site visits at the University of Birmingham, Aston University, and University of Manchester, meeting with UK researchers and touring facilities, including a pilot-scale magnet recycling facility in Birmingham. The tour was facilitated by UK Science & Innovation Network and preceded the UK-US workshop on Bioengineering Solutions for Critical Minerals in London.

Significance and Impact
Interactions within the delegation and with the UK hosts expanded connections and are expected to lead to new collaborations involving CMI researchers, domestically and internationally.

Hub Target Addressed
Increasing the speed of discovery and integration.

image of people standing by a large bronze statue
The U.S. delegation for the UK-US Workshop on Bioengineering Solutions for Critical Materials, in Birmingham, UK, December 2, 2024.