The U.S. Department of Energy Ames Laboratory has received a $120 million grant to support the creation of the Critical Materials Institute. The focus of the institute is to foster research revolving around rare earth elements, which are materials commonly used in everyday devices such as cell phones and tablets, but these resources are becoming more scarce.

Ames Laboratory has been renowned for its research regarding rare earth materials. Research on these substances has increased with the advent of new technologies, making the scarcity of the materials a serious issue. 

Funds donated to the department will be used to hire new staff members and to buy equipment for new research.