Technology Licensing Opportunity: Room-Temperature Electrochemical Metallization of Rare Earth Elements

The Idaho National Laboratory is offering a technology licensing opportunity for a room-temperature electrochemical metallization process for rare earth elements. This process aims to replace traditional high-temperature molten-salt electrolysis, reducing energy consumption and environmental liabilities. The technology has various market applications, including permanent magnets, defense systems, lightweight alloys, electronics, and battery technologies. Key advantages of this technology include lower energy consumption, reduced environmental liabilities, safer operations, domestic supply potential, and a scalable platform. • The process enables efficient rare earth element reduction and stable metal formation without extreme energy use or toxic byproducts. • It integrates three synergistic innovations: tuned electrolyte nucleophilicity, Lewis acid-base coordination control, and interfacial electrochemical structuring. • The technology has the potential to enable North American rare earth element production for critical industries. • It is adaptable to multiple rare earth elements, including neodymium, samarium, dysprosium, and terbium.