METALLIC
Accelerating Critical Mineral and Material Technology Deployment & Innovation
The Minerals to Materials Supply Chain Research Facility (METALLIC) builds upon existing Department of Energy efforts to accelerate the establishment of new, domestic critical minerals and materials (CMM) supply chains.
The NETL led effort brings together the resources of nine national labs to establish METALLIC as the destination to validate, improve, and help commercialize technologies developed by domestic entities, amplifying the impact of the Department of Energy (DOE) and other U.S. government investments. This innovative approach fosters an ecosystem of expertise and capabilities for accelerating and de-risking CMM technology development and commercialization.
Four Centers of Expertise Under One Virtual Roof
![Metallic ecosystem](https://netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/CMF_008%20Four%20Center%20Concept-03-2024.png)
METALLIC operations are organized into four centers of expertise, each addressing a different area of the CMM supply chain. Each center focuses on selected activities, including equipment and test-beds for technology testing and validation. These centers are supported by an enabling activities team which provides a linkage across the centers. Click on each center and related activity below to learn more.
![Feedstock](https://netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Metallic_Feed.jpg)
Feedstock Beneficiation
Lead lab: NETL
Co-lead: INL, Berkeley Lab
Key partner labs: ANL, ORNL, PNNL
Focused on physical beneficiation pathways of conventional and unconventional ores and related CMM sources. Integrated beneficiation circuits at scales up to the 100s of kilograms per day will support developing minimally invasive, near-zero waste feedstock production, providing test beds for rare earth ores, other solid feedstocks and brines.
![Extracting](https://netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Metallic_Extract.jpg)
Extractions and Separations
Lead lab: ORNL
Co-lead: ANL, INL
Key partner labs: Berkeley Lab, LLNL, NETL, NREL, PNNL
Focused on expanded supply and diversity of source materials via low-impact pathways with testbeds for novel unit operations, membrane solvent extractions and AI-guided autonomous chemistry.
![Refining](https://netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Metallic_Refining.jpg)
Refining
Lead lab: Ames
Co-lead: NETL, LLNL
Key partner labs: ANL, Berkeley Lab, ORNL
Focused on reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) impact for refined materials production from low grade materials via pyrometallurgical, electrochemical, advanced reduction technologies and metal purification.
![Manufacturing](https://netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/AdvancedManufacturing.jpg)
Alloy Development and Advanced Manufacturing
Lead lab: LLNL
Co-lead: PNNL, Ames
Key partner labs: NETL, NREL, ORNL
Focused on CM-efficient, high-performing, low-impact substitutes and components with solid-phase capability, advanced alloys, advanced semiconductors and advanced topology prototyping testbed.
![dataCenter](https://netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Metallic_DataCenter.jpg)
Enabling Activities
Lead lab: NREL
Co-lead: Berkeley Lab
Key partner labs: ANL, NETL
Supports the four centers by providing comprehensive, .independent lifecycle analysis (LCA) and technoeconomic analysis (TEA) capabilities, developing data warehouse and interfaces; connecting analysis with experimentation, convening stakeholders, analyzing the state of technology and evaluating Technology Readiness Level (TRL) / Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL).
Work With Us
METALLIC’s focus is grounded in establishing a CMM innovation ecosystem to (1) validate and test technologies, (2) connect technology developers to technology users (and vice versa) and (3) identify pathways for CMM production from new feedstocks. METALLIC is not a funding or a commercialization entity.
To achieve this, METALLIC provides a versatile platform for supporting CMM Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment (RDD&D) activities across supply chain segments, focusing on TRL 3 to 6+ and informed by input from Fossil Energy and Carbon Management’s (FECM’s) Office of Resource Sustainability and the Critical Materials Collaborative (CMC). We anticipate our primary users will include:
- Recipients of DOE funding (e.g., Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) awardees)
- Industrial entities looking for technology solutions
- Innovators and technology developers
- Academic institutions and researchers
- Projects graduating from FECM; the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE's) Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO); Critical Materials Innovation Hub (CMI); and other DOE portfolios
- Other DOE offices
- Other agencies (e.g., the Department of Defense)
![How It Works](https://netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/2024-08/METALLIC%20Slide%208%20graphic.png)
METALLIC serves a variety of users, helping them develop solutions to challenges in creating new domestic CMM supply chains and building a foundation for future innovation.
The METALLIC Team
Overview of The National Energy Technology Laboratory
Supporting Entities & Collaborations
![ImageCaption](https://netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Metallic_Collaboration.jpg)
Critical Materials Collaborative (CMC)
Critical Materials Innovation (CMI) Hub
FECM Division of Minerals Sustainability
Process Optimization and Modeling for Minerals Sustainability (PrOMMiS) Initiative