Ames National Laboratory and Critical Materials Innovation Hub (CMI) technologies are among the finalists announced today for the 2024 R&D 100 Awards.
Two Ames National Laboratory and CMI technologies were announced as finalists. They include:
A lithium extraction process that uses the principles of mechanochemistry to extract lithium from ore in a way that reduces steps, energy use, and impact on the environment. The adoption of such a process could help diversify and increase the domestic supply of lithium, a high demand element for use in rechargeable batteries. You can read more about this technology here. This research was supported by Ames National Laboratory and the Critical Materials Innovation Hub.
A battery recycling process that recovers lithium, graphite, cathode materials and more from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. The water-based process is simple, efficient, and safe, and does not use any acids, reducing toxic impacts on the environment. The process also produces green hydrogen, a clean energy source, as a co-product. This research was supported by Ames National Laboratory and Iowa State University.
In addition, a pair of CMI-funded research projects at Oak Ridge National Laboratory were named finalists. A membrane solvent extraction method for electronic waste recovers, separates, and purifies rare earth elements and other materials from scrap. Read more about this technology here. Another technology, Direct Lithium Extraction Sorbents, presents a more efficient way to extract lithium from waste liquids leached from mining sites, oil fields and used batteries. Read more about that technology here.
Sponsored by R&D World magazine, this international science and innovation competition recognizes new commercial products, technologies, and materials for their technological significance that are available for sale or license. This year, there were a total of 141 finalists named.
News Link: R&D 100 Finalists for 2024 are announced