In the News

Ames Lab researchers receive Outstanding Small Research Team Award from Federal Laboratory Consortium

Ames National Laboratory scientists Ikenna Nlebedim and Denis Prodius have been selected to receive a 2026 Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Outstanding Researcher/Small Research Team Award for their pioneering work in developing and transferring a groundbreaking acid‑free rare‑earth recycling technology.

Tim Kidd named director of Ames National Laboratory’s Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering

Tim Kidd, Ph. D., has been selected as the next director of the Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering (DMSE) at Ames National Laboratory. His tenure begins April 20, 2026.

Bloomberg podcast Odd Lots: This is how the US can become a player in rare earth metals

Podcast mentions Critical Materials Innovation Hub, Ames National Laboratory and several CMI partners.

Wall Street Journal: Can old lime bikes and hard disks counter China’s rare-earth chokehold?

Division of Critical Materials Deputy Director Ikenna Nlebedim is mentioned in Wall Street Journal story.

Des Moines Register: Iowa startup pioneers ecofriendly rare-earth recycling with Ames Lab

CMI technology developed at Ames National Laboratory is described in story about company that holds exclusive license

Ames Tribune: Boone startup, Ames Lab pioneer cleaner rare‑earth recycling tech

CMI technology developed at Ames National Laboratory is described in story about company that holds exclusive license

Ames Lab Director featured in Des Moines Business Record

Profile of Ames Lab Director Karl Mueller in Des Moines Business Record.

LLNL: Energy-efficient process delivers rare-earth element for magnets

CMI research described in story from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory about research collaboration between LLNL, Case Western Reserve University and Ames National Laboratory.

Energy Department Launches Historic Genesis Mission to Drive AI-Powered Scientific Revolution

Ames Lab brings decades of leadership in materials science, computational modeling, and machine learning to this effort.

DOE Renews SQMS Center with $125 Million to Advance Quantum Technologies

SQMS is one of five DOE National Quantum Information Science Research Centers established under the National Quantum Initiative.