Amine functionalized graphene oxide yields laminates with an enhanced capacity to adsorb rare earth elements, improved water transport, and greater stability for effective membrane-based separation of critical minerals.

Replacing commercial acid with acidic waste enables researchers to improve nickel extraction efficiency, lower projected costs, and improve process economics.

Localized gradients in magnetic fields have long-range effects on the concentration of rare earth ions in solution, facilitating field-driven extraction of critical minerals.

Studying a series of rare earth element compounds revealed differences in their magnetic behavior that will be leveraged for separations.

PNNL researchers Daniel Deng and Yehia Ibrahim join the 2025 class of National Academy of Inventors Fellows.

Soil mineral preferentially incorporates rare earth elements based on size, with implications for critical mineral extraction.

A new mini-acoustic transmitter and tagging procedure is able to provide data on small, sensitive fish species like the American shad.

The Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy acting assistant secretary makes his first visit to a national laboratory in his new role, touring PNNL's Radiochemical Processing Laboratory.

PNNL researchers review ceramic-metal composite technology for immobilizing radioactive wastes from nuclear reactors, including advanced reactors.

New methodological approach demonstrates how to assess the economic value, including non-traditional value streams, of converting non-powered dams to hydroelectric facilities.

PNNL researchers use chemometric analysis to model chemistry in molten salt.

Resolving how nanoparticles come together is important for industry and environmental remediation. New work predicts nanoparticle aggregation behavior across a wide range of scales for the first time.

Developed with community input, the new Hydropower Vision Roadmap lays out a path to achieve a shared vison for modern hydropower by 2050.

A poem inspired by radioactive tank waste—“Can a Scientist Dream it Alone?”—was awarded first place in the Department of Energy’s Poetry of Science Art Contest.

Irradiated boehmite nanoplatelets form smaller aggregates and have a rougher surface than non-irradiated platelets.

Hydrogen bonding and proton transfer control the identity and reactivity of molecules in highly concentrated and alkaline aluminate solutions.

Researchers identified a new intermediate phase that forms during the crystallization of hydrated aluminum-containing salts.

The amount of radiation in a system influences how fast aggregated boehmite particles dissolve.

Simulations show that pH influences boehmite nanoparticle structure and sorption ability.

Developing a new understanding of the structure of natrophosphate, a complex mineral found in radioactive tank waste at the Hanford Site, by integrating experimental techniques.