Research Highlights

Dechlorination of PVC to branched PE

Poly(vinyl chloride) was fully dechlorinated, in a reaction mediated by silylium ions under air, to give branched polyethylene products.

Chemical representation of PVC dechlorination

Transforming Used Plastics into Functional Materials

Chemical upcycling of plastic waste provides new functional materials with tunable thermal and mechanical properties.

Synthesis of functionalized HDPE visual

Assisting U.S. industry to validate new technology

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Hysteresis graph system and tested specimen (top-right corner) for magnetic property test

Scale-up of nanoparticle permanent magnet powder

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Hysteresis loops of Sm2Fe17N3 powders prepared at scale using bottom-up and top-down approaches. Note: Powders aligned in field and fixed in wax.

Critical rare earth free cerium gap magnets-2024 TechConnect National Innovation Award

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

New iron-based high-temperature ferromagnet

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

image of two line graphs: Left – XRD image of the new Y/Zr/Fe-ferromagnet showing >90% single phase (rhombohedral, PuNi3-type structure) of the material in comparison to isostructural Ce/Zr/Fe analogue, earlier discovered in CMI. Right – magnetic TGA experiments showing significant increase (> 65oC) of Curie temperature relative to the Ce-based material.

Novel Ce/Fe alloy magnetically hardened by refractory metals

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Figure. Upper part – XRD of Zr-doped Ce2Fe17, with hexagonal Th2Ni17-type structure and non-magnetic properties at room temperature (RT). Lower part – XRD of Zr/Mo-doped Ce2Fe17, with tetragonal structure and strong ferromagnetic intrinsic properties, suitable for development of strong permanent magnet with (BH)max >30 MGOe.

Molecular design improved through machine learning

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

A) Parity plot comparing predicted and experimental log K values with mean error (ME = 0.032) lower than experimental accuracy and root mean squared error (RMSE = 0.629) approaching experimental errors. B) The top ranked ligands generated by linking pyridines and amides (blue functional groups).

CMI-trained researcher pursues career at AMMTO (US DOE)

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Ihor Hlova (PI, Project 1.1.9, back) and Tyler Del Rose (front) placing the ball milling chamber into the machine for processing.

Tailored synthesis in nanoparticle permanent magnets (NPPMs)

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight