Feature Story | 1-Sep-2026
Harvesting the critical minerals future
ORNL uses biotechnology, AI to strengthen U.S. supply chains
DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
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ORNL scientists evaluated the ability of the pennycress plant to absorb nickel in an experiment aimed at critical minerals recovery.
Credit: Andrew Sproles, ORNL/U.S. Dept. of Energy
For too long, the United States has relied on foreign sources for most of the raw materials powering its technological future, the essential minerals in every smartphone, battery pack and semiconductor.
What if one answer to the supply c