DOE Invests $17 Million in Critical Materials Research for Next-Gen Technologies
Key Ideas
- The Department of Energy allocated $17 million to support small-scale demonstration projects focused on finding sustainable ways to produce raw materials for magnets, EV batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells.
- The initiative aims to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign supplies of critical materials, promoting economic benefits and competitiveness in the manufacturing industry.
- Recipients of the federal funds are exploring alternatives to materials traditionally sourced from China, including utilizing mining byproducts and e-waste as potential sources.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $17 million to fund small-scale demonstration projects aimed at enhancing the production of raw materials crucial for magnets, electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells. These projects will also investigate the viability of using mining byproducts and electronic waste as alternative sources for critical materials. The initiative, part of the DOE's 'critical materials collaborative' program, seeks to advance research on critical minerals and materials to address the nation's reliance on foreign supplies, particularly those dominated by China. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm emphasized that these investments will strengthen America's manufacturing sector and provide economic advantages across the country. By supporting innovative solutions and sustainable practices in material production, the DOE aims to foster competitiveness in next-generation technologies while ensuring a secure supply chain for critical materials.