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Background, Interest,
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| | American Clean Resources Group | Dr. Morgan Saunders | Director of Grants and Advocacy |
Individual
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Other
| Reprocessing of Critical Minerals | American Clean Resources Group (ACRG) is a U.S.-based project development, grants, and infrastructure strategy firm specializing in the advancement of domestic critical minerals, energy, and industrial supply chain projects. ACRG operates at the intersection of federal funding strategy, project commercialization, and public-private partnership development, with a proven track record of securing and managing over $50 million in federal, state, and private funding.
ACRG has a strong interest in supporting the Department of Energy’s Critical Minerals through the identification, development, and scaling of projects that strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources. Our current project pipeline includes the evaluation and advancement of historic mine tailings and industrial byproduct recovery systems, with a particular focus on extracting critical minerals essential for defense, advanced manufacturing, and energy technologies. This includes work associated with Nevada-based tailings resources and broader U.S. opportunities aligned with Topic Area 2 objectives.
Our core capabilities include federal grant strategy and compliance, technical proposal development, and end-to-end project coordination from concept through commercialization. ACRG has extensive experience navigating DOE, EDA, and other federal funding mechanisms, including FOA responses, technical volume preparation, and cost share structuring. We bring deep expertise in aligning projects with federal priorities, including domestic manufacturing, energy security, and resilient supply chains.
In addition, ACRG provides strategic support in stakeholder engagement, including coordination with industry partners, academic institutions, and government entities to build competitive, multi-partner teams. Our team is experienced in developing scalable project frameworks that meet Technology Readiness Level advancement requirements, pilot-to-commercial pathways, and long-term operational viability.
As a teaming partner, ACRG adds value by bridging the gap between technical innovation and fundable, executable projects. We ensure that promising technologies and resource opportunities are positioned for successful federal investment and commercialization, accelerating deployment timelines and maximizing economic and national security impact. |
| CO |
| | ONB Engineering Research and Technical Services LLC | Omar Basha | Principal Engineer |
Small Business
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Carbon Management
| | ONB Engineering Research & Technical Services, LLC is a U.S.-based engineering consultancy providing model-assisted scale-up and R&D engineering support to industrial technology teams in chemical, energy, CCUS and advanced manufacturing. We help clients design, integrate and optimize their technologies throughout research, pilot, demonstration and commercial stages by combining advanced modeling (both custom models (e.g. kinetics, reactors, separations, vessel optimization) and overall process models (via Aspen Plus, HYSYS or UniSim)), validation, engineering/piloting/deployment support, validation planning, and decision-focused deliverables.
Core capabilities include:
• Process simulation & flowsheet development (Aspen Plus/HYSYS or equivalent): mass/energy balances, separations, heat integration, operability
• Reactor/kinetics modeling, parameter estimation, scale-up sensitivities, and optimization
• Techno-economic analysis (TEA): CAPEX/OPEX models, scenario and uncertainty analysis, decision memos
• Life cycle assessment (LCA): screening through decision-grade LCAs, hotspot identification, improvement levers
• CFD/transport modeling when warranted to quantify geometry and performance drivers
• Data reconciliation, uncertainty bounding, and test plans to close key data gaps
• FEL support: scope definition, basis of design inputs, and handoff-ready models/reports for partners and EPCs
Interests: partnering with startups, mid-stage companies, universities, labs, and EPCs to de-risk commercialization and accelerate deployment of process technologies (including low-carbon and circular manufacturing pathways). We work comfortably under NDA/IP constraints and emphasize reproducible workflows and traceable assumptions so results can stand up to internal reviews, investors, and partner diligence. |
| VA |
| | Tb Ammunition LLC | Timothy G Smith | President |
Incorporated Consortia
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Other
| Critical Material Processing | TB Ammunition and Continuous Metal Technology Inc. are a leader in hydrogen reduction of metal oxides.
We have the proven ability and know how in a process metal oxides and have brought them into production scale. |
| PA |
| | Vital X LLC | Jerry Salyers | Founder Developer |
Small Business
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Other
| Proving grounds | Vital X LLC
Point of Contact: Jerry Salyers, CEO / Executive Director
Email: ACMI21@outlook.com | Phone: 304-712-1509
Organization Type: Private Company / Mineral Asset Owner
Website: vitalx-wt8vop2.gamma.site
Technical Expertise / Areas of Interest:
REE recovery from coal and clay deposits
Metallurgical coal production integrated with critical mineral extraction
Pilot-scale extraction and separation of REEs
Environmental reclamation and water quality improvement (AML & highwall sites)
AI-driven exploration and processing (RER-AI)
Integration of energy systems (geothermal cooling, pumped storage)
Background & Capabilities (brief):
Owns ~2,800 acres in McDowell & Mingo Counties, WV with ~35M tons
metallurgical coal and underlying REE clay
Proven mining and processing operations; infrastructure includes rail spurs, transmission lines, and prep areas
Proprietary RER-AI platform for optimized REE recovery
Federal grant and DOE program experience; environmentally compliant AML reclamation & water treatment
Ready for feedstock access, pilot testing, and co-funding partnerships
Collaboration Interests:
Tech developers in REE extraction & separation
Environmental systems integrators
Industrial partners for downstream processing
Academic or national lab validation and scale-up partners
Notes:
Unique Appalachian coal + REE assets, ready for integration into FOA projects
Open to consortiums, co-funding, and pre-proposal collaborations |
| WV |
| | Pennsylvania State University | Jennifer L. Macalady | Professor of Geosciences |
Academic
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University Training and Research
| biomining, bioshrouding, bioremediation, bioseparations | I study microbe-mineral interactions in the terrestrial subsurface and in acid mine drainage (AMD). I collaborate with environmental engineers, materials scientists, mechanical engineers, architects, biochemists, industry, consultants, and government agencies in TRL 0-2 research on coal, greenhouse gasses, sulfuric acid generation, iron and sulfur oxidation, and REE biogeochemistry. |
| PA |
| | PMT Critical Metals Inc. | andrew sherman | president |
Small Business
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Other
| critial metals recovery and processing | Midstream processor of critical materials. we have been developing a closed loop, zero effluent metallization process to convert rare earth oxides into metals and alloys. Actively developing and partnering for flexible separation of mixed concentrate feedstocks, including no-traditional feedstocks from industrial byproduct and waste streams. Particularly interested in Ga, Sb, Y, Tb, Dy, Sc, Sm containing feedstocks/concentrates, in addition to Nd/Pr. |
| OH |
| | Space ER LLC | Dr. Chandrashekhar Sonwane, PE | CTO |
Small Business
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Other
| All | Coal/Cement combustion, Fly ash/leachate treatment, Rare earth extraction, Gasification, Reaction Engineering, DFT modeling, AI |
| CA |
| | Muon Vision | Tancredi Botto | CEO |
Small Business
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Other
| | Muon Vision is a pioneer of borehole-based muon radiography, a deep reading passive technique for the determination of bulk density distribution in the subsurface. Borehole muon radiography has been traditionally used in the areas of mine exploration, brownfield expansion and underground cavity detection
Muon Vision has pioneered and patented a novel use of muon radiography, i.e. muon contrast radiography, wherein changes in the muon bulk density measured over time are interpreted in terms of changes in the underlying fluid saturation content in the subsurface. This has broad use in slope stability analysis and for monitoring fluid fronts in the subsurface, such as during leaching operations, including injection leaching.
Muon Vision is seeking potential partners to deploy its groundbreaking borehole technology at mine sites and test facilities across the US |
| MA |
| | ADI Analytics | Uday Turaga | CEO |
Small Business
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Other
| | ADI Analytics is a globally recognized, boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic analysis, market research, and techno-economic modeling across the energy value chain.
Established in 2009, our firm serves a diverse client base, including Fortune 500 oil and gas companies, investors, technology providers, and government agencies including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
We are available to partner with organizations responding to DOE NOFOs including National Laboratories, universities, small businesses, engineering firms, and project developers for whom we can provide deep, rigorous market and commercial viability analysis for technologies across the energy value chain.
Our interest is in ensuring that breakthrough technical R&D is coupled with a clear, defensible path to commercial deployment and market adoption.
Our specific capabilities, directly relevant to DOE goals, include:
Market Sizing and Forecasting: Developing granular, data-driven models to project demand, supply, and price trends for emerging energy technologies.
Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) Modeling: Assessing the capital costs (CAPEX), operating costs (OPEX), and overall economic competitiveness of new processes compared to incumbent technologies.
Commercialization Roadmapping: Identifying key regulatory, policy, financial, and supply chain barriers to technology deployment and developing strategies to overcome them.
Supply Chain Analysis: Mapping and evaluating the availability and scalability of necessary feedstocks, components, and infrastructure.
Policy Analysis: Providing insights into relevant incentives, mandates, and regulatory frameworks and their impact on project finance and market uptake.
Proposal Development & Grant Writing: Drive proposal development and grant writing including partner identification and recruiting with a successful track record in delivering winning proposals.
ADI Analytics acts as the independent, commercial voice within a technical team, strengthening proposals by validating the economic and market potential of the proposed R&D. |
| TX |
| | Michigan Technological University - Houghton, MI | Timothy C. Eisele | Associate Professor |
Academic
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Resource Sustainability
| Critical Minerals Extraction | Have developed a very low-cost reductive bioleaching process well-suited for extraction of metals that are not readily recovered by traditional oxidative bioleaching. The process has been demonstrated to be able to recover nickel, cobalt, and manganese from a variety of sources. These include low-grade oxide ores, tailings, slags, furnace dusts, and battery scrap. The process has been operated at a scale of several hundred pounds of raw material being leached, with stable operation for a period of up to several years.
Our university has a well-equipped minerals preparation and characterization laboratory, able to crush and grind ores up to 3 inches in diameter down to sizes on the order of 5-10 micrometers. We have sampling facilities for collecting statistically accurate analysis samples, as well as a variety of separation devices (density separation, electrostatic separation, both low- and high-intensity magnetic separation, and froth flotation). We also have a well-equipped electron-optics and X-ray analysis laboratory, extensive surface chemical analysis capabilities, and access to ICP-OES along with other wet-chemical analysis apparatus. |
| MI |
| | EnviTrace LLC | Dr. Velimir Vesselinov | CTO |
Small Business
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Other
| | Dr. Velimir Vesselinov is a leading expert in science-informed machine learning with more than 20 years of research experience at Los Alamos National Laboratory. His work centers on integrating physical principles with advanced computational and statistical methods to solve complex Earth-science and energy-related problems. He has developed, led, and contributed to major DOE programs focused on subsurface modeling, groundwater and contaminant transport, geothermal systems, fracture evolution, multiscale flow processes, and national-security-relevant environmental forecasting.
His technical expertise spans physics-based forward and inverse modeling, Bayesian inference, uncertainty quantification, data assimilation, and machine-learning acceleration of numerical simulators. He has been at the forefront of hybrid modeling approaches—including physics-informed neural networks, reduced-order models, and probabilistic ML frameworks designed for high-consequence scientific applications. His methods consistently emphasize reproducibility, computational efficiency, and strict adherence to physical constraints.
Dr. Vesselinov’s publication record includes high-impact papers on inverse problems, data-driven geoscience, surrogate-model development, and the application of machine learning to partial differential equation systems. He has served as principal investigator and senior scientist on multi-institutional collaborations across the Department of Energy complex, contributing both scientific leadership and computational innovation.
His current work applies science-informed AI to geothermal resource assessment, critical minerals prospecting, urban energy modeling, environmental monitoring, and subsurface characterization. Across these domains, he focuses on rigorous model validation, uncertainty-aware decision support, and the deployment of scalable ML tools compatible with national-laboratory and industry requirements. His career reflects a consistent commitment to developing reliable AI methods that advance scientific understanding and support real-world engineering and policy decisions. |
| NM |
| | SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory | Xueli Sherry Zheng | Staff Scientist |
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)
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Resource Sustainability
| Critical materials and characterization | PI Dr. Zheng is a Staff Scientist at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and has extensive experience in rare-earth elements, battery technology, high-temperature processing, X-ray science, electrochemistry, materials science, and catalysis. Her work has leveraged fundamental science to enable translational research across many energy technologies, including batteries and steelmaking. PI Zheng has access to comprehensive resources and state-of-the-art facilities, including materials synthesis and scale-up, advanced characterizations, and large-scale battery fabrication. |
| CA |
| | ALKEMIO | Ailin Svagzdys | Co-Founder & CRO |
Small Business
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Resource Sustainability
| Rare Earths Refining | Alkemio develops separation technologies for rare earth elements (REEs) based on molecular-recognition chemistry. Our approach uses proprietary ligands immobilized on solid supports to enable selective, solvent-free REE separations with lower reagent use and simplified downstream handling compared to conventional hydrometallurgical methods. The team has more than 15 years of combined experience in REE separation, hydrometallurgy, ligand design, and process engineering, and applies this background to the development of scalable, modular systems suitable for diverse feedstocks and industrial operating conditions. |
| CA |
| | Duke University | Leanne Gilbertson | Associate Professor |
Academic
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Resource Sustainability
| Interdisciplinary research and education hub at Duke | The Critical Minerals Hub at Duke is dedicated to establishing a research and education ecosystem to accelerate a secure, resilient critical mineral supply. Its members possesses diverse expertise across the critical mineral system, including technical, environmental, and social facets.
Representative domain expertise include:
Impacts of mining on water
Sourcing unconventional CM resources
Life cycle assessment
Techno-economic analysis
Metal isotope analysis
Battery materials, including alternatives
Electrochemistry
Alternative materials design
Materials for separations
Soil petrogenesis
Deep sea mining
International trade
International relations
Global supply chain
Environmental security
Energy system modeling
Supply chain economics |
| NC |
| | University of Oklahoma | Pejman Kazempoor | Professor |
Academic
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Carbon Management
| Integrated Techno-Economic, Modeling, and Pilot-Scale Capabilities for Critical Minerals | Our capabilities span techno-economic analysis, where we rigorously evaluate process cost structures, scalability pathways, and market competitiveness; process modeling and simulation, leveraging advanced software tools and digital twin frameworks to predict system performance, optimize operating conditions, and reduce scale-up risks; and life-cycle assessment (LCA), providing comprehensive environmental and sustainability metrics across extraction, processing, utilization, and end-of-life recycling stages. In addition, we are actively engaged in pilot-scale testing of novel separation and conversion processes, including electrochemical, thermochemical, and hybrid approaches, to validate performance under realistic conditions. |
| OK |
| | NGL Energy Partners | Ryan Hall | Director of Technical Operations |
Large Business
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Other
| | NGL is the nation's largest produced water midstream. We have 3,000,000 bbl of PW per day under management. We operate in the Permian, Eagle Ford and DJ basins.
In addition we work closely with multiple state consortia on the management of produced water. We have performed up to field pilot scale lithium recovery of our produced water. We also are working towards commercial scale recovery of iodine from our produced water. We've partnered with NETL on the evaluation of carbonated brine injection in our Eagle Ford assets. We designed, built, owned and operated a treat to discharge facility in WY. We are presently permitting a 250KBD treat to discharge facility in the Permian.
We want to perform CM exploration in our produced water and related residuals (tank bottoms and pad). We are willing to provide in kind support of $50K/yr for up to a 3 year span to support this project. |
| CO |
| | Winner Water Services Inc. | Todd Beers | COO |
Small Business
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Other
| AOI 1-3 | Winner WaterServices Inc, has a rare earth pilot plant and expertise in hydormetallurgy and chemcial processing. The existing pilot was previously funded by a DOE program and is currently mothballed in anticipation of perfoming addtional work. Our groups background in hydrmetalurgy can assist in any of the AOI's. Under previous programs for clients we have seperated Lithium from produced water, perfomed carbon seperation from fly ash, and seperated various crtical minerals from E-Waste. Our existing facility and staff would be glad to team with interested parties in pursuit of technical solutions in these areas. Time is short, but with the rigfht team it could still be done in time. |
| PA |
| | Great Plains Institute | Valerie Stori | Senior Policy Manager |
Non-Profit
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Other
| All | The Great Plains Institute specializes in community engagement across all emissions sectors and carbon management. We use our policy and technical expertise to facilitate conversations at the national, state, and local level, and have experience with energy transition projects (e.g., coal to solar), carbon management roadmaps, renewable and transportation policies, and brownfield redevelopment. Communities are concerned with brownfield remediation and new critical mineral mining claims. GPI can facilitate conversations with communities and support the development of community benefits plans. |
| MN |
| | Award Advisors | Dan Durst | Principal |
Small Business
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Other
| | Award Advisors is a specialized consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations navigate the complexities of federal grant processes, particularly those offered by the Department of Energy (DOE). As a trusted partner, we bring a wealth of expertise in Federal project budget development and post-award compliance, ensuring that our clients are well-prepared to secure and successfully manage DOE grants.
Expert Budget Development:
Our team excels in the intricacies of federal budget formulation, including the completion of SF 424 and the DOE Budget Justification Worksheet. We work closely with organizations to develop detailed, accurate budgets that align with DOE requirements and maximize funding opportunities. Our deep understanding of cost principles and budgeting regulations ensures that your proposal is not only compliant but also competitive.
Indirect Rate Calculation and Negotiation:
Award Advisors specializes in the calculation and negotiation of indirect cost rates, a critical component for organizations seeking to optimize their funding. We guide our clients through the complex process of determining appropriate rates, negotiating with federal agencies, and applying those rates effectively within their budgets. This service is essential for organizations aiming to recover the full spectrum of allowable costs, thereby enhancing the sustainability and impact of their projects.
Post-Award Compliance Preparation:
Navigating the post-award phase requires a thorough understanding of 2 CFR 200, the "Uniform Guidance" that governs federal awards. Our services extend beyond the pre-award stage to ensure that organizations are fully prepared to meet compliance requirements after securing funding. We provide training, policy development, and ongoing support to help organizations establish robust compliance frameworks, mitigating the risk of audit findings and ensuring project success.
Partnering with Award Advisors means gaining a dedicated ally committed to your success in the DOE grant landscape. Let us help you turn your innovative ideas into funded, compliant, and impactful projects. |
| DC |
| | August Brown | Gordon Nameni | Managing Partner |
Small Business
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Other
| | August Brown is a boutique technology-focused management consulting and advisory firm specializing in commercialization and feasibility studies. We developed the first commercialization business case for coal as a value-added product, which led to the acquisition of $14 million in contracts with DOE and NETL.
We have deep technical experience in techno-economic modeling and bridging the gap between development and commercial. Our work has included modeling related to the extraction of rare earth minerals from mining water streams, extraction of rare earth from fly ash, application of ceramic composites with coal in the building materials space, and application of ceramic composites with coal to develop anodic battery materials. |
| WI |
| | University of Texas Permian Basin | Zhengwen Zeng | Associate Professor |
Academic
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Other
| Rare Earth Minerals in West Texas via Directional Drilling | 1. Reserve estimation (Round Top Mountain, West Texas)
2. Direction drilling for sampling and in-situ bleaching
3. HPHT Lab fluid-rock(core sample) inter-/re-action investigation for optimal bleaching procedure |
| TX |
| | Precision Periodic | Brandon Carpenter | VP of Nanofabrication |
Small Business
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Other
| | Precision Periodic specializes in the capture, seperation and refinement of metals from aqueous solutions. Precision Periodic's core technology, the Nano Beads, overcomes many of the mechanical shortcomings of ion exchange resins. Nano Beads are NOT a resin, but are a competitive technology featuring faster adsorption/desorption kinetics, in situ desorption, significantly improved mechanical and chemical compatibility, and produces zero waste. Nano Beads have worked with most elements on the periodic table, for a full up to date list please visit www.precisionperiodic.com |
| FL |
| | Strategic Analysis, Inc. | Mark Jensen | Principal Engineer, Energy Analysis Services |
Small Business
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Other
| | Strategic Analysis (SA) specializes in techno-economic and manufacturing analysis, market studies, and technology due diligence. Our expertise spans a wide array of materials, components, and systems for hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, batteries, gas purification, chemical synthesis (monomers/polymers, catalysts, MOFs, electrochemical), carbon capture, and energy transmission. With an extensive background in capital cost and life-cycle cost estimation, our techno-economic analysis integrates cost estimation with discounted cash flow models to identify key drivers for commercialization.
SA's analyses encompass both process definition and capital cost estimation of production plant facilities (e.g., battery plant, electrolysis plant, wind turbine production facility) as well as the manufacturing cost of the finished product (cost of batteries ($/kWh), H2 ($/kg), electricity ($/kWh)). To meet the diverse needs of our clients, we offer a suite of advanced tools including: thermodynamic and energy assessments with Aspen Plus® or Aspen HYSYS®; capital cost estimation using bottoms-up methods like Design for Manufacture and Assembly® (DFMA) considering multiple rates of production and manufacturing pathways; capital, installation, and operational cost models with industry correlations; and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). |
| VA |
| | ALKEMIO | Francisco Morrone | CEO |
Small Business
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Resource Sustainability
| Rare Earth Extraction and Separation | Alkemio has developed a modular, and easily deployable refinement process powered by proprietary selective molecular technology that reduces capex & opex, dramatically reduces hazardous chemical use, and will finally enable Western miners to conduct on-site REE refinement, moving up in the value chain, and boosting their profits by over 70%.
Our team has extensive experience with critical minerals and mining waste. After joining together, we have developed a proprietary technology that can revolutionize the rare earth processing market, leaving behind the highly complex gold standard process. |
| CA |
| | Ames National Laboratory | Matt Besser | Senior Manager Research, Materials Prep. Center |
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)
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Other
| Rare Earth Metallization and alloys, Magnet production | The Materials Preparation Center (MPC) is a U.S. Department of Energy resource at Ames National Laboratory recognized world-wide by the research community for its unique capabilities in preparation, purification, single crystal growth and characterization of rare earth metals, alkaline-earth metals and refractory metal materials. MPC operations are available on a full cost-recovery basis.
Established in 1981, the MPC is a one-of-a-kind facility that is acutely sensitive to the needs of researchers. The facility provides research and developmental quantities of high-purity materials and unique characterization services to scientists at university, industry and government facilities on a cost-recovery basis, allowing access to novel materials and new technologies as they are developed.
MPC capabilities include: Ultra-high purity Rare Earth metal production, Arc Melting and Casting, Single Crystal preparation, Vacuum induction melting, Plasma melting and casting, Rolling, swaging, wire drawing, Gas atomization of metals and alloys, Melt spinning and strip casting, Distillation of pure metals, Rare Earth magnet fabrication, and hot pressing.
MPC can also provide access to the Advanced Magnet Facility (AMF). The AMF at Ames National Laboratory is addressing critical materials challenges and supporting clean energy technologies as a fully integrated research and development test-bed for permanent magnet synthesis. The AMF is working with partners across Universities, National Labs, and Industry to rapidly transition lab-scale research into mid-scale magnet synthesis. The AMF serves as a national resource to accelerate commercial adoption of new materials and processes.
Renowned for its outstanding technical expertise, the MPC’s alloy preparation and processing capabilities are of great potential value to America’s advancing technology. The MPC provides the personal service required to meet each client’s individual needs. Requests for customized materials and services that are not available from commercial vendors, and are unmatched in quality anywhere else in the world, are provided by the MPC. The range of utilization is demonstrated by the scientific publications in which the MPC and Ames National Laboratory are cited. |
| IA |
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