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.

Using multiple specialized techniques, IDREAM researchers gained a better understanding of how trace impurities within gibbsite affect the hydrogen yield.

Five PNNL innovations earned 2026 R&D 100 Awards for advances in biotechnology, manufacturing, critical minerals, and nuclear security.

New partnership agreement to focus on AI, robotics, and advanced energy systems.

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

Connecting energy generation, electricity storage, and using sensors and control software to track load, including precommercial market marine energy generation technologies.

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.

Nanosize platelets of an aluminum material slide and join in a staggered orientation to form larger crystals.

IDREAM researchers uncovered how dimeric complexes control how aluminum hydroxide minerals dissolve.

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

Trace amounts of iron and chromium can incorporate into gibbsite, affecting how the mineral dissolves.

Researchers at PNNL advised elementary and middle school student teams with their problem-solving research for the FIRST® LEGO® League robotics competitions.

Increasing concentrations of ions slows the rate of particle aggregation in boehmite suspensions.

The ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit brings together researchers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to showcase the latest technologies shaping tomorrow’s energy landscape. This year, eight projects led by PNNL were featured.

New IDREAM research explores the effects of electrolyte species on boehmite nanoparticle aggregation in legacy wastes.

The first tidal turbine deployed in the Pacific Northwest at PNNL-Sequim showcases the Lab’s growing role as a regional center for marine energy research.

Hydrogen atoms released and trapped in irradiated gibbsite are destabilized by synthetic-precursor residuals.

The 2024 State of the Science Report on environmental effects of marine renewable energy research has been released.

PNNL Ocean Engineer James McVey collaborates with U.S. company Noria Energy on floating solar technologies through DOE voucher program.