Research Highlights

Adsorption of Rare Earths on Kaolinite and Selective Stripping with Deep Eutectic Solvents

Tailored deep eutectic solvents provide a tunable, low‑volatility alternative to conventional lixiviants for rare‑earth recovery from ion‑adsorption clays.

Solid-state NMR & Al-MD Spot Active Catalyst Structure

The study establishes the structural origin of C-H borylation activity in zeolite-supported La complexes. The combined SSNMR and ML-MD approach offers a general framework for identifying catalytically relevant structures.

tructure of lanthanum borohydride complex

Group 4 Metallocenes Supported on Sulfated Zirconium Oxide Catalyze Benzene C‒H Borylation

This discovery proves that early transition metals can effectively perform challenging C-H bond functionalization, rivaling established, expensive late-transition metal (Ir, Rh) systems. It opens new paths and design principles for strong-bond activation using highly electrophilic, surface-stabilized active sites in alterative to critical noble metals.

molecular and heterogeneous catalyst comparison

Tailored lixiviant delivers high-performance separation and recovery of heavy REEs from mine tailings concentrate

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Lithium extraction from minerals: techno-economic analysis (TEA)

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Cost breakdown comparison showing Vacuum-Induced Thermal Extraction of Lithium from α-Spodumene (VITELiS) reduces non-feedstock processing costs relative to conventional Sulfuric Acid Roasting (SAR).

Production of Dy metal from sodium-lean fluoride feedstock

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory and Terves conducted the research for this highlight

Cast dysprosium metal pieces (~115g) produced via calciothermic reduction of Na‑lean dysprosium fluoride

Comparative LCA and TEA of neodymium metal production from different REMAFS salts

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory and University of Arizona conducted the research for this highlight

Environmental impacts and conversion cost of Nd metal production from Na-Nd-F and K-Nd-F feedstocks via calciothermic reduction (excluding NdCl3 cost).

Producing neodymium metal from sodium-lean fluoride feedstock

CMI researchers at Idaho National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Cast neodymium metal pieces (~128 g) produced via calciothermic reduction of Na‑lean neodymium fluoride.

CMI Intern hired at CMI Partner Principal Mineral

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Melanie S. Guerrero (FA2 CMI Summer Intern, left) and Kevin Stoll (CMR, right) at the Critical Materials Recycling facility in Boone (IA) during the CMI Summer Internship tour in August 2025.

Tailored synthesis in nanoparticle permanent magnets (NPPMs)

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight