Eligibility
Rare earth separation processes have historically been performed overseas due to challenges associated with 1) operations cost/profitability, 2) feedstock sourcing, and 3) hazardous chemistries. These issues have been further compounded by artificial price controls that prevent domestic startups from gaining a foothold in global markets. A wide range of defense platforms rely on small quantities of a variety of rare earth elements, rendering the defense industrial base susceptible to global supply chain disruptions for these critical elements. To this end, DLA seeks to develop novel and highly efficient rare earth separation technologies that are cost-competitive in the global market. New approaches that increase the domestic availability and supply chain resiliency of rare earth oxides will have preference. The ideal production process will be both modular and easily scalable.