Research Highlights

Controlling the Selectivity of Rare Earth Elements (REE) on Micas

Researchers discover new fundamental knowledge about the role impurities found in natural ion adsorption minerals play in the interactions with REE, which provides deep insights into controlling REE separations by solid adsorbents.

CMI leaders, researchers provide input for minerals strategy

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

image of four people: Sameer Kulkarni, Idaho National Laboratory, Ikenna Nlebedim, Ames National Laboratory, Tom Lograsso, Ames, and Aaron Wilson, INL.

New hard CeFe12-based ferromagnet without critical elements

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

line graph shows anisotropic magnetization measurements of the W-stabilized (Ce,Sm)Fe12 material showing the Ha ~ 8 T

Mechanochemical processing of lithium mudstone for facile water extraction

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Image of BM clay and three milled products, BM clay, BM clay+CaO and BM clay+Na2CO3

Mechanochemical processing of lithium mudstone for facile water extraction

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Tailored synthesis in nanoparticle permanent magnets (NPPMs)

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

bar chart showing oxygen content of Sm2Fe17N3 powder before and after washing

Lixiviants unlock unusual REE leaching patterns from industry feedstock

CMI researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Ames National Laboratory, and Iowa State University conducted the activity for this highlight

Prediction of a new 2D topological material MPd5I2

First-principles calculations predict a new tetragonal layered van der Waals compound MPd5I2 with interesting topological and magnetic properties in both bulk and 2D single layer.

Bypassing electrolysis: one-step calciothermic route from Nd2O3 to Nd2Fe14B

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Color-coded EDX map of synthesized NdFeB powder showing negligible amount of Ca (small green in the lower left corner).

Diversifying lithium supply from brines to hard-rock minerals: mechanochemical extraction of lithium at low temperature (MELLT) from α-spodumenes

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

An infographic showing the MELLT approach for Li-extraction from α-spodumene