Critical Materials Institute
Stored: Critical Materials Institute
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Critical Materials Institute (CMI) is a DOE Energy Innovation Hub led by Ames National Laboratory, established to address supply chain vulnerabilities for rare earth elements and other critical materials essential to clean energy technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicle batteries.
Since its inception in 2013, CMI has united national labs, universities, and over 30 industry partners to pioneer solutions in mineral processing, materials substitution, and recycling, achieving over 50 patents and supporting U.S. energy competitiveness through three funding phases.
Mission
CMI’s mission is to mitigate risks to critical materials supply chains by advancing scientific research, engineering innovation, and manufacturing processes, focusing on diversifying sources, developing alternatives to scarce materials, and improving recycling to reduce dependence on foreign supplies. It targets materials like rare earths, lithium, cobalt, and gallium—key to clean energy—through a multidisciplinary approach, fostering a circular economy and supporting DOE’s Energy Earthshots for a net-zero future.
Parent organization
CMI operates under the Department of Energy, specifically the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, which funds and directs its efforts. The Department of Energy is the top organization, integrating CMI into national strategies for energy security and sustainability.
Legislation
CMI was not created by specific legislation but was established in June 2013 as a DOE Energy Innovation Hub, funded through Congressional appropriations following a competitive selection process announced in January 2013.
Partners
CMI’s key partners include:
- Ames National Laboratory (lead)
- Idaho National Laboratory
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Over 12 universities (e.g., Colorado School of Mines, Purdue University) and 30+ industry partners (e.g., General Electric, Molycorp)
Number of employees
CMI does not have a dedicated employee count; it engages over 300 researchers—scientists, engineers, and support staff—across its partner institutions, with numbers fluctuating per project phase.
Organization structure
CMI is structured around focus areas:
- Supply Diversification Team explores new material sources.
- Substitutes Development Team designs alternative materials.
- Circular Economy Team enhances recycling and reuse.
Leader
CMI is led by a Director, Thomas Lograsso, who oversees its scientific and operational efforts from Ames National Laboratory.
Divisions
The efforts include:
- Materials Processing for extraction and recovery.
- Substitution Research for less critical alternatives.
- Recycling Innovations for sustainable material use.
List of programs
Key CMI initiatives include:
- Rare Earth Recovery Technologies
- Battery Materials Recycling Projects
- Critical Materials Supply Chain Analysis
Last total enacted budget
CMI’s total funding is approximately $300 million across three phases (2013-2028): $120 million (2013-2018), $135 million (2018-2023), and up to $150 million (2023-2028), with the latest phase announced in August 2023.
Staff
Staffing includes over 300 contributors from national labs, universities, and industry, with expertise in metallurgy, chemistry, and engineering, based primarily at Ames Lab and partner sites.
Funding
CMI’s funding of $300 million spans 2013-2028 from DOE’s EERE ($255M federal, $45M potential in Phase III), plus $11.3 million in cost-share, supporting its evolution through three five-year phases, with the latest renewal adding up to $30M annually through 2028.
Services provided
CMI conducts R&D on critical materials, develops recycling and substitution technologies, and provides supply chain analyses and tools, resulting in over 50 patents and licensed technologies for clean energy applications.
Regulations overseen
CMI does not oversee regulations but supports DOE’s critical materials strategy by informing policy and reducing supply chain risks.
Headquarters address
2408 Pammel Dr, Ames, IA 50011, USA (Ames National Laboratory)
History
CMI was launched in June 2013 as a DOE Energy Innovation Hub, led by Ames Lab with a $120 million award to address rare earth shortages noted in DOE’s 2011 Critical Materials Strategy. It completed Phase I (2013-2018) with over 300 publications, Phase II (2018-2023) with 47 patents, and began Phase III in November 2023 with up to $150 million to further secure clean energy supply chains.