Critical Minerals & Materials Working Group
Advancing Critical Minerals & Materials Research
The Critical Minerals & Materials Working Group brings together UW–Madison expertise across the critical minerals and materials lifecycle, from responsible sourcing and extraction to materials design, recycling, recovery, and circular supply chains. The group connects researchers across disciplines to advance collaborative research, anticipate emerging opportunities, and build partnerships with industry, national laboratories, and communities.
Events
Critical Minerals & Materials Working Group Breakfast Series
This is an informal opportunity for faculty and staff to connect, share ideas, and explore research and collaboration opportunities.
The series will meet every other Tuesday from 8:30–9:30 a.m. in the Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI), Room 1115:
- September 15
- September 29
- October 13
- October 27
- November 10
- December 1
Critical minerals and materials intersect with priorities across multiple research themes, including the three RISE initiatives, from sustainable extraction, processing, recycling, and environmental impacts in RISE-EARTH, to AI-enabled discovery, modeling, and optimization in RISE-AI, and health, workforce, community, and societal impacts in RISE-THRIVE.
Faculty and staff are welcome to join as their schedules allow. We hope the series provides another opportunity to build connections and strengthen collaboration across the Critical Minerals & Materials community. Breakfast will be provided.
UW–Madison Critical Minerals Research Solutions Summit
Monday, November 16 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Discovery Building
Save the date! More details and registration coming soon.
Strategic Focus
The working group brings together interdisciplinary expertise across the critical minerals and materials lifecycle, connecting fundamental research, technology development, systems analysis, and societal considerations.
Responsible Sourcing & Characterization
Advance responsible approaches to identifying, sourcing, and characterizing critical minerals and materials needed for clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
Extraction, Separation & Materials Design
Develop lower-impact approaches to extraction and separation while advancing materials design and substitution strategies that reduce resource and environmental constraints.
Recycling, Recovery & Circularity
Advance recycling, by-product recovery, and other circular approaches that extend material lifecycles and reduce reliance on primary resources.
Sustainable Supply Chains & Systems
Integrate life-cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, policy, and community and environmental considerations to strengthen sustainable and resilient critical mineral supply chains.
Members
Interested in Joining the Working Group?
Connect with researchers across UW–Madison working on critical minerals and materials and stay informed about working group activities, events, and collaboration opportunities.