Technology Licensing Opportunity Roomtemperature Tender - 139851028

Procurement Summary

Country: USA

Summary: Technology Licensing Opportunity Roomtemperature Electrochemical Metallization of Rare Earth Elements

Deadline: 15 Jun 2026

Posting Date: 21 Apr 2026

Other Information

Notice Type: Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 139851028

Document Ref. No.: BA-1456

Competition: ICB

Financier: Self Financed

Purchaser Ownership: Public

Tender Value: Refer Document

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Tender Details

Note: This is a technology licensing opportunity. No procurement, grants, or funding opportunities are associated with this notice.
Room-Temperature Electrochemical Metallization of Rare Earth Elements
A low-energy, low-hazard alternative to molten-salt electrolysis for sustainable REE production.
Technology Summary
This invention introduces a method to produce metallic rare earth elements (REEs) through room-temperature electrometallization in anhydrous electrolytes. By leveraging unique ion-pairing interactions, Lewis acid-base chemistry, and interfacial structuring, the system enables efficient REE reduction and stable metal formation without the extreme energy use or toxic byproducts of conventional fused salt electrolysis.
Problem Addressed
High cost & regulatory barriers: Current molten-salt electrolysis (600-1200 °C) generates toxic HF gas and rare earth fluoride waste, triggering costly EPA and OSHA compliance requirements.
Environmental impact: Legacy processes produce hazardous waste with long-term contamination risks, leading to industry abandonment in North America.
Supply chain dependence: Metallic REEs are only produced at scale in China, creating vulnerabilities for U.S. manufacturers and defense applications.
Solution
The invention replaces high-temperature fused salt electrolysis with an ambient-temperature electrochemical process. The approach integrates three synergistic innovations:
Tuned electrolyte nucleophilicity - enabling more efficient reduction pathways.
Lewis acid-base coordination control - stabilizing the ligand environment during deposition.
Interfacial electrochemical structuring - improving reaction kinetics and metal stability.
This combination allows REE electrodeposition at room temperature, reducing both energy demand and hazardous byproduct formation. This invention enables dual functionality, electrodeposition and (in-situ) electrorefining.
Key Advantages
Low...
Notice ID: ba-1456

Department/Ind. Agency: energy, department of

Sub-tier: energy, department of

Office: battelle energy alliance–doe cntr

Product Service Code: ag22 - energy r&d services; energy conservation; applied research

NAICS Code: 331492 - Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum)

Inactive Dates: jun 30, 2026

Inactive Policy: 15 days after response date

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