Researchers at the Critical Materials Institute (CMI) and Ames Laboratory are winners of an R&D 100 Award.
Researchers invented a magnet recycling process in which magnets are dissolved in water-based solutions, recovering more than 99 percent purity rare earth elements. Cobalt is also recovered from cobalt-containing magnet wastes. The rare earth materials recovered have been reused in making new magnets, and the recovered cobalt shows promise for use in making battery cathodes.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) researchers have won 32 of the R&D 100 awards given out this year by R&D Magazine. The annual awards are given in recognition of exceptional new products or processes that were developed and introduced into the marketplace during the previous year. The R&D 100 Awards were presented on Friday, November 16th in Orlando, Florida.
“The Department of Energy is one of the largest supporters of technology transfer in the federal government, and these awards demonstrate the incredible value that our national laboratories continue to provide to our nation,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. “We congratulate this year’s winners, who are helping to lead the way to a more secure and prosperous energy future.”
Read more about DOE R&D 100 winners HERE.