Yong Wang’s joint appointment connects PNNL, WSU, and the next generation of scientists.

Demonstrated that cathodic potential accelerates aqueous phase benzaldehyde hydrogenation.

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.

Research provided definitive spectroscopic characterization, reactivity, and deactivation of a reactive monomeric diphosphine-copper hydride intermediate.

PNNL researchers are studying ways to use seawater and seawater-generated chemicals to acquire magnesium, lithium, and other critical materials.

Developed a method for selectively anchoring diverse divalent metal cations in zeolites, important for precise control over catalytic materials.

Developed a simple kinetic framework for evaluating catalyst hydride transfer ability.

PNNL has formed a partnership with the Orlando-based firm Refinity, which has licensed a key process from PNNL that will help the company convert mixed plastic waste into valuable industrial products like chemicals, plastics, and fuels.

The Department of Energy’s Transportation Technologies Office has issued two 2026 Annual Merit Review Awards to researchers from PNNL. Both awards recognize PNNL researchers whose work is reducing the need for critical materials.

Critical minerals could be sourced from industrial waste at scale thanks to an AI-guided separation workflow developed by researchers at PNNL.

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

Autonomous science laboratories are taking shape quickly across the PNNL campus.

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.

Yong Wang will lead the Institute for Integrated Catalysis, advancing the science and technology of catalysis to address global challenges in energy resilience.

A low-temperature, single-stage catalytic process converts PVC and polyolefin into valuable alkanes.

A comprehensive investigation provides quantitative data on the interaction between zeolite pores and linear alcohols, with hydroxyl group interactions playing the largest role.

As Laboratory Director Steve Ashby pens his last monthly column, he highlights PNNL’s accomplishments with pride and gratitude.

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

After isolating copper hydride monomers, researchers identified the mechanistic details of catalyst aggregation and cluster formation.