Caltech Secures Department of Energy Funding for Rare Earth Element Innovation

On Tuesday the U.S. Department of Energy announced nearly $10 million for two projects aimed at improving rare earth element processing technologies. One project will conducted by Caltech in Pasadena, the other by the University of Utah. 

The initiative, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, seeks to reduce costs and environmental impact. Rare earth element processing is vital for high tech devices.

Caltech said it plans to integrate traditional and innovative separation methods to obtain high-purity rare earth elements. Simultaneously, the project aims to generate critical minerals and materials from coal-based resources.

The University of Utah in Salt Lake City will focus on producing separated high-purity rare earth oxides, salts, and metals. Their approach utilizes abundant, low-grade coal byproducts and employs innovative mineral and chemical separation technologies.

These projects aim to meet the growing demand for critical minerals in the United States while reducing reliance on foreign supply chains. Currently, the country imports more than 80% of its rare earth elements, despite vast domestic resources.

Rare earth elements are crucial for clean energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cells. The U.S. has over 250 billion tons of coal reserves, 4 billion tons of waste coal, and 2 billion tons of coal ash.

Both projects will conduct advanced laboratory and bench-scale testing to improve economic viability of separation and refining technologies.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign supply chains by reimagining the use of coal waste and by-products,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The investments announced today will not only increase our national security and ensure a cleaner environment but will also help deliver high-quality jobs throughout the country.”

The Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory will manage the selected projects. Both teams submitted Community Benefits Plans, demonstrating engagement with local communities and commitment to the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of certain federal investments benefit disadvantaged communities.

This funding is part of a broader effort by the Department of Energy to support critical minerals exploration. Since January 2021, the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management has committed an estimated $151 million to related projects, including $17.5 million under the first round of selections and $33.4 million for engineering design studies.

The initiative aligns with the department’s goal of minimizing environmental and climate impacts of fossil fuels while working towards net-zero emissions. It focuses on various technologies, including carbon capture, hydrogen production, and critical minerals production.