RE:RE:RE:A Though Came To Mind maybe ucore and medallion merge
or ucore licenses purdue tech?
only issue is is tech only in pilot stage
RSX is real close to commerical testing and commissioning , so if RSX results are clean and a hecka lot lest costly (1/3 the capex, cost effective opex) , that would be the way to go.
its the reason i am still here
The license, acquired through Hasler Ventures LLC, provides Medallion with a portfolio of technology, patents, and knowhow for ligand-assisted displacement (LAD) chromatography to deploy in the separation and purification of rare earth elements (REE). The rights assigned by Hasler Ventures and granted by Purdue are exclusive and global for use with all minerals, mineral processing by-products and mining waste feedstock, excluding coal-sourced materials.
The LAD system, developed by Linda Wang, PhD, the Purdue Maxine Spencer Nichols Professor of Chemical Engineering, is built upon a well-understood and widely used platform that provides an environmentally sound method for REE separation with low technology risk.
“We believe this acquisition is a pivotal moment for Medallion, that will enable substantial downstream value to be added to our existing mineral sand monazite business model as well as deliver new opportunities for sub-licensing of REE separation technology to third parties,” said Mark Saxon, Medallion President & CEO. “After extensive review ( September 25, 2020 ) of over 25 competing separation technologies we believe this LAD technology has the potential to be REE-industry changing, and will become an important part of Medallion’s rare earth element processing capability. We are excited to be working with Linda Wang and her Purdue team.”
A license for the parallel application of LAD technology for coal and coal-sourced waste materials, REE magnets and batteries was signed with American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ: AREC ) and announced February 2, 2021.
Medallion’s licensing for the Purdue LAD technology was acquired February 17, 2020 and is through a collaboration with Hasler Ventures LLC. Hasler Ventures was formed by Dan Hasler, who retired from Purdue in March 2020. At that time, Hasler Ventures optioned the LAD technology. Hasler served Purdue as executive vice president for communications and previously served five years as president of Purdue Research Foundation, where he became familiar with Wang’s work.
“Linda and her colleagues have dedicated decades of research to developing this process and her effort and innovation has delivered one of the most promising and environmentally safe methods to separate and purify rare earth elements,” Hasler said. “This LAD technology could enable the U.S. to more safely utilize these critical resources from domestic sources and aligned nations, rather than remaining reliant on Chinese suppliers and high-environmental impact solvent-based processes.”
Rare earth elements include the 15 elements in the lanthanide series plus scandium (Sc) and yttrium (Y). They are essential ingredients for magnets, metal alloys, polishing powders, catalysts, ceramics, and phosphors, which are important for high technology and clean energy applications. The global REE market is estimated at $US4 billion annually and growing at about 8% per year (Research and Markets estimates, January 6, 2021).
LAD Chromatography Technology
LAD chromatography was designed as a greener REE extraction and purification process compared to conventional solvent-based separation methods and aligns well with Medallion’s strategy of providing technology solutions that minimize the environmental footprint. The LAD method operates in aqueous solutions and delivers high yield while supporting superior chemical recycling, excellent productivity, and efficiency without harsh or toxic chemicals. The system design is fully scalable and can expand in line with production or demand requirements.
Wang’s LAD technology was highlighted in a Journal Green Chemistry paper in 2020, entitled “Two-zone ligand-assisted displacement chromatography for producing high-purity praseodymium, neodymium, and dysprosium with high yield and high productivity from crude mixtures derived from waste magnets.” This research, which has been applied to primary raw material feedstock, has provided high-purity (>99%) Nd, Pr, and Dy with high yields (>99%) and with productivity exceeding 100x the existing market-leading technology.
Transaction Terms
As part of the exclusive patent license for its fields of use, Medallion has committed to a three-year US$150,000 per annum sponsored research program with Purdue University to further advance the technologies, and achieve various technical milestones including operation of a demonstration plant. On commercial operation, royalty fees or sub-license fees will be payable at standard industry rates.