Azo Materials reports that Critical Materials Innovation (CMI) Hub researchers at Ames National Laboratory developed a new technology for processing rare earth metals and licensed it to Principal Mineral of Dallas, Texas.
"This newest license continues to fulfill the CMI mission to accelerate innovative scientific and technological solutions," said CMI Director Thomas Lograsso, Ames National Laboratory. "Through technology innovation and unique partnerships between national laboratories, universities and industry, CMI strengthens our nation's critical materials supply chains."
The Rare Earth Metals via Alternative Fluoride Salt (REMAFS) process is based on metallothermic reduction without the use or generation of harmful acid. Also, the new method can be integrated earlier in the rare earth supply chain to reduce the number of steps required to convert mined materials to rare earth metals.
CMI Project Lead Denis Prodius leads research that shows the REMAFS process produces magnets that are equivalent grade as those made with commercially available rare earth metals. The technology supports domestic neodymium metal and Nd-Fe-B magnet production while significantly improving safety, environmental impacts, and scalability.
See the full story: New technology for processing rare earth metals licensed to Principal Mineral