DOE Commits $17M to Critical Materials Supply Chain Innovation

Funding Innovation in Domestic Critical Materials Recovery
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated up to $17 million to fund 14 projects aimed at strengthening the domestic supply chain for critical materials essential for technologies like electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen fuel cells, and high-performance batteries. The goal of this funding is to reduce the United States’ reliance on foreign critical materials by promoting sustainable and efficient methods for extracting and recycling rare earth elements (REEs) and other materials vital for clean energy solutions. The DOE plans to fund projects across 11 states, targeting innovation in both material recovery from scrap and postconsumer products, as well as in developing new, more sustainable ways to manufacture high-demand materials.

Projects Focus on Rare Earth Element Recovery and Recycling
Several of the funded projects focus on increasing the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from electronic waste and scrap. Notable among them:

• Texas A&M University has received $1.28 million to develop a novel solid-phase extraction method for recovering neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium from electronic scrap using graphene-based porous membranes. This sustainable method aims to reduce the environmental impact of rare earth element recovery while increasing efficiency.
• Infinite Elements, based in El Paso, Texas, has been awarded $1.5 million to combine bioleaching with peptide design to increase recovery yields of critical materials from electronic waste. The project aims to improve recovery rates from 45% to 85% while also reducing energy consumption by over 50%.

These projects will directly contribute to the DOE’s goal of reducing reliance on foreign sources of critical materials, ensuring more sustainable access to the REEs that are crucial for clean energy technologies.

Magnet and Clean Energy Technology Innovations
In addition to recovery methods, the DOE is also funding innovations that reduce the demand for critical materials in energy technologies. Key projects in this area include:

• University of Texas at Arlington has received $1 million to scale up the production of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, substituting rare earth elements like neodymium and praseodymium with more abundant materials like cerium and lanthanum. This project could reduce reliance on critical materials by 30-40% without compromising the performance of the magnets used in high-efficiency motors.
• Niron Magnetics, based in Minneapolis, is set to receive $2.7 million for developing permanent magnets that do not rely on any rare earth elements. Their innovative iron nitride technology could potentially transform the market for permanent magnets by eliminating the need for critical REEs altogether, which would significantly reduce the environmental and economic costs associated with sourcing these materials.

These projects align with the DOE’s broader strategy of reducing the carbon footprint of clean energy technologies while also minimizing the strain on global supply chains.

Improving Efficiency in Manufacturing and Processing
Several projects are focused on improving manufacturing processes to enhance the efficiency of critical material extraction and processing. Notable initiatives include:

• Free Form Fibers, based in Saratoga Springs, New York, has been awarded $926,000 to develop a novel laser-driven chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) technology for producing high-purity silicon carbide (SiC), a key material in semiconductor production. This approach promises to improve SiC production yields and reduce defects, leading to more cost-effective manufacturing.
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has received $1 million to scale up a solvent extraction technology for recovering critical materials from acid mine drainage. This method could reduce costs and environmental impacts by using waste streams from mining operations as feedstock.

These projects support the DOE’s Critical Materials Collaborative, which aims to accelerate the development of a secure, sustainable, and domestic critical materials supply chain.

Reducing Material Demand for Clean Energy Technologies
Efforts to minimize the use of critical materials in clean energy applications also form a significant part of the DOE’s funding efforts. Key projects include:

• Celadyne Technologies has been awarded $1 million to develop a catalyst that pairs with a proton exchange membrane (PEM) for hydrogen fuel cells. This technology could reduce the use of platinum, iridium, and fluorine, critical materials in PEMs, by as much as 92%.
• COnovate, based in Wisconsin, will use its $1 million award to develop an innovative anode material, eCOphite, as a replacement for graphite in lithium-ion batteries. This development could lead to higher energy densities, faster charging times, and better safety, while reducing the demand for graphite.

These projects play a crucial role in advancing clean energy technologies, helping to reduce the environmental and economic impact of extracting and processing critical materials.