Battery Production and Critical Minerals

Critical minerals (CM) are defined as materials that are essential to technologies and subject to supply chain risks. CMs, such as lithium and cobalt, are vital for battery production, a cornerstone of the renewable energy transition. Rare earth elements (REEs) are used in magnets, computer chips, and other consumer products. CM and REE products face challenges including supply shortages and dependence on foreign exports.

Breakthrough research by Energy@UT spans the lifecycle of battery production, from rare earth elements, and critical mineral resource identification, to extraction, separation, and production. By combining academic research, technology innovation, and workforce development, we enable breakthroughs in battery production while fostering technology transfer to industry. This ensures a safe, secure, diverse, and resilient supply chain for clean and renewable technologies.