In the News

IPR River to River: New documentary highlights critical material recovery efforts in Iowa

CMI technology and a process developed at Ames National Laboratory is the foundation for the commercialization of acid-free dissolution, which is described in a documentary film described in an interview with the researcher, corporation and filmmaker on the Iowa Public Radio show River to River.

Ames National Laboratory selected for ARPA‑E funding to advance AI‑driven catalyst development

Ames National Laboratory has been selected for funding under a new $34 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA‑E)

Iowa Business Podcast

CMI technology for recovering rare earth elements from electronic waste is licensed to a company in Iowa, which describes the tech and how it is being used.

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.

Bloomberg podcast "Odd Lots"

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

Ikenna Nlebedim mentioned in Wall Street Journal

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

CMI tech featured in Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune

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.

CMI researchers address domestic neodymium supply chain

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.