Critical materials play a vital role in modern energy systems and in enabling abundant, reliable and affordable energy for the future. Materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, gallium, uranium and rare earth elements are essential for electric vehicles, energy storage, wind turbines, solar energy, nuclear power and transmission infrastructure.

Because many critical-material supply chains are concentrated outside the United States, strengthening reliable and sustainable domestic supply has become increasingly important to economic competitiveness, energy security and national defense.

Critical Materials Pillar Key Outcomes


Demonstrate rare earth recycling and recovery at commercial scale with industry partners by 2027

Establish Purdue as the leading institute for system-level analyses of critical materials by 2027

Advancing Critical Materials Research

Purdue research spans recycling and recovery of rare earth elements and lithium-ion battery materials, lower-impact separation and purification technologies, and system-level analyses—including life-cycle, technoeconomic and supply-chain analysis. Purdue is a founding partner of DOE's Critical Materials Innovation Hub, now in Phase 3. Purdue-developed purification technology is already producing commercial-grade critical materials through ReElement Technologies. Together, these efforts advance circular-economy strategies and strengthen domestic critical-material supply chains.