image: Ames Laboratory and NEDO, Japan, have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote collaboration between the two agencies in rare-earth and critical-materials research. NEDO Executive Director Fumio Ueda, left, and Ames Laboratory Interim Director Tom Lograsso shake hands after signing the memorandum of understanding. view more
Credit: DOE--Ames Laboratory
The U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a Japanese energy and industrial technology R&D organization, signed a memorandum of understanding today to promote cooperation between the two agencies in rare-earth and critical-materials research.
The memorandum establishes a framework for Ames Laboratory and NEDO to collaborate on rare-earth scientific efforts and to exchange information and scientists.
"I'm very excited about the memorandum of understanding being executed today. This MOU will provide the foundation for the Ames Laboratory and NEDO to explore common interests in and share information on rare earth research and other critical materials. The MOU will help both organizations with the global perspective on these materials," said Deb Covey, Ames Laboratory's director of technology transfer and commercialization.
Ames Laboratory and NEDO signed the MOU in Ames, Iowa, as part of the inaugural events for the Critical Materials Institute, which is led by the Ames Laboratory. The CMI is a DOE Energy Innovation Hub that brings together national laboratories, universities and industry to help ensure U.S. access to critical materials.
"I'm very happy to have this MOU event because this MOU will pave the way for reinforcement in the field of critical materials, such as rare earths, in the pivotal bilateral relationship between the United States and Japan," said Tohru Nakamura, NEDO's director of electronic, materials technology and nanotechnology department.
Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory operated by Iowa State University. Ames Laboratory creates innovative materials, technologies and energy solutions. We use our expertise, unique capabilities and interdisciplinary collaborations to solve global problems.