Denis Prodius

Dr.

Critical Materials Innovation Hub

Division of Critical Materials

Phone: 515-294-3513
Email: prodiusd@ameslab.gov
Office: 325 Spedding
Websites:
Photograph of Denis Prodius

Credentials

Education

  • M.S. Chemistry, 1999
    Faculty of Chemistry, State University of Moldova, Chisinau, Rep. of Moldova
    Research Advisor: Prof. Nina Samusi
  • M.S. Technology, 2000
    Faculty of Foodstuff Technology, Technical University of Moldova, Chisinau, Rep. of Moldova
    Research Advisor: Prof. Julieta Purice
  • Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry, 2007
    Institute of Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of Moldova
    Research Advisor: Prof. Constantin Turta
    Thesis Title: “Synthesis and study of homo- and heteronuclear iron clusters with di- and tricloroacetic acids”

Professional Appointments

  • 2002-2006: Junior Researcher, Institute of Chemistry, ASM
  • 2006-2008: Senior Researcher, Institute of Chemistry, ASM

  • 2008-2010: Superior Senior Researcher, Institute of Chemistry, ASM
  • 2010-2012: Postdoctoral Researcher, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Karlsruhe, Germany) and Alexander von Humboldt Fellow
  • 2012-2013: Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Nanotechnology, KIT (Karlsruhe, Germany)
  • 2014-2018: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Critical Materials Institute, Ames National Laboratory (U.S. DOE)
  • 2018- 2023: Assistant Scientist III, Critical Materials Institute, Ames National Laboratory (U.S. DOE)
  • 2023-present: Ames National Laboratory Scientist II, Critical Materials Innovation Hub, Ames National Laboratory (U.S. DOE)

Honors & Awards

  • 2019: TechConnect National Innovation Award
    The TechConnect Innovation Awards identify the top 15% of submitted technologies as ranked by the TechConnect Corporate & Investment Partner Committee. Innovation rankings are based on the potential positive impact the submitted technology will have on a specific industry sector. Innovations are submitted from global academic technology transfer offices, early-stage companies, Small Business Innovation Research awardees, and government and corporate research laboratories.
  • "Ames Laboratory Inventor Incentive Award - 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023"​
  • 2018: Green Tech (Gold) - Special Recognition R&D 100 Award
    R&D Magazine
    From an engineering and societal perspective, efficiency and environmental factors play an increasingly important role in the world today. R&D Magazine wants to recognize those innovations that help make our environment greener and our goal towards energy reduction closer.
    https://cmi.ameslab.gov/research/cmi-recycling-project-wins-two-awards
  • 2018, 2023: R&D 100 Award
    R&D Magazine
    The awards, organized by R&D magazine, are given out annually for the top technologies of the year, at the R&D 100 Awards and Technology Conference. The awards are widely considered to be the ​“Oscars of Innovation,” a moniker coined by the Chicago Tribune. https://cmi.ameslab.gov/research/cmi-recycling-project-wins-two-awards
  • 2018, 2023: Notable Technology Development Award
    Federal Laboratories Consortium (FLC) - Regional and National Levels
    The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is the nationwide network of federal laboratories that provides the forum to develop strategies and opportunities for linking laboratory mission technologies and expertise with the marketplace.
    https://www.ameslab.gov/news/insider-highlight/rare-earth-magnet-recycling-wins-flc-innovation-award
  • 2012: Yurii Simonov Memorial Prize
    for best papers in Solid State Physics, Crystallography, Crystal and Structural Chemistry (http://andreisimonov.com/YuriiSimonov/winners.php)

  • 2010/2011: Alexander von Humboldt Fellow -
    Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

  • 2009: Best young scientist of the year in Republic of Moldova

Areas of Expertise

  • Solid state, materials and coordination chemistry of rare earth metals
  • Recycling and separation of rare earth metals and cobalt
  • Ionic Liquids and their applications

Research

Research Projects

Research Interests

  • Recycling of critical metals including the rare earth metals
  • Chemical separation of rare earth metals
  • Acid-free recycling of rare earth from magnetic materials and end-of-life electronic devices
  • MILs (metal-based ionic liquids) and their practical applications

Patents

  • “Dissolution and separation of rare earth metals”, co-inventor(s): A.-V. Mudring, I. C. Nlebedim, US10648063B2 Patent (2020)
  • “Separating rare earth metal oxalates”, co-inventor(s): I. C. Nlebedim, A.-V. Mudring, US11090579B2 Patent (2021)
  • “Separation of terbium(III.IV) oxide”, co-inventor(s): A.-V. Mudring, US10029920B2 Patent (2018)
  • “Process for Spirulina platensis cyanobacterium biomass obtaining”, co-inventor(s): V. Bulimaga, V. Rudic, L. Zosim, T. Chiriac, C. Turta, S. Melnic, V. Mereacre, MD3129 (F1) 2006

Publications