2450998
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR Phase I: Novel process for neodymium manufacturing using continuous chloride electrolysis
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be to alleviate societal reliance on pollution intensive processes for the production of the rare earth metal neodymium.
Neodymium is essential to permanent magnets which are key to a wide range of modern technologies including wind turbines, electric vehicles, cell phones, and defense applications such as fighter jets, submarines and drones making a domestic supply critical.
Our alternative to the current technology is protected by a combination of patent applications and trade secrets, both competitive advantages which are expected to expand via this project.
A toll manufacturing business model is intended to help deploy the technology while insulating the startup company from commodity price fluctuations.
The proposed technology is presently the sole market offering for the startup and thus this project is essential to the success of the company.
The company intends to target domestic supply chain applications for initial market entry bolstering domestic manufacturing and improving national security.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to disrupt the current (>90% market share) oxyfluoride molten salt electrolysis for reduction of neodymium metal.
The current oxyfluoride process is a semi-batch process that relies on consumption of a graphite anode which produces carbon dioxide and perfluorocarbons pollutants.
The direct generation of perfluorocarbons, which are strictly regulated by the US EPA, makes domestic deployment of the oxyfluoride process challenging and costly.
A novel alternative molten salt electrolysis process has been developed that is more electrically efficient than oxyfluoride.
However, the process was originally developed for intermediate temperature, solid neodymium reduction.
To achieve cost-competitiveness, this project aims to advance the novel process to run stably for extended durations at higher temperatures where liquid neodymium can be produced continuously, achieving cost-advantaged neodymium reduction.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be to alleviate societal reliance on pollution intensive processes for the production of the rare earth metal neodymium.
Neodymium is essential to permanent magnets which are key to a wide range of modern technologies including wind turbines, electric vehicles, cell phones, and defense applications such as fighter jets, submarines and drones making a domestic supply critical.
Our alternative to the current technology is protected by a combination of patent applications and trade secrets, both competitive advantages which are expected to expand via this project.
A toll manufacturing business model is intended to help deploy the technology while insulating the startup company from commodity price fluctuations.
The proposed technology is presently the sole market offering for the startup and thus this project is essential to the success of the company.
The company intends to target domestic supply chain applications for initial market entry bolstering domestic manufacturing and improving national security.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to disrupt the current (>90% market share) oxyfluoride molten salt electrolysis for reduction of neodymium metal.
The current oxyfluoride process is a semi-batch process that relies on consumption of a graphite anode which produces carbon dioxide and perfluorocarbons pollutants.
The direct generation of perfluorocarbons, which are strictly regulated by the US EPA, makes domestic deployment of the oxyfluoride process challenging and costly.
A novel alternative molten salt electrolysis process has been developed that is more electrically efficient than oxyfluoride.
However, the process was originally developed for intermediate temperature, solid neodymium reduction.
To achieve cost-competitiveness, this project aims to advance the novel process to run stably for extended durations at higher temperatures where liquid neodymium can be produced continuously, achieving cost-advantaged neodymium reduction.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH / SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PHASE I PROGRAMS", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF24579
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Place of Performance
Chagrin Falls,
Ohio
44022-2378
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Galvanix was awarded
Project Grant 2450998
worth $305,000
from in March 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Chagrin Falls Ohio United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I: Novel Process for Neodymium Manufacturing Using Continuous Chloride Electrolysis
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be to alleviate societal reliance on pollution intensive processes for the production of the Rare Earth metal neodymium. Neodymium is essential to permanent magnets which are key to a wide range of modern technologies including wind turbines, electric vehicles, cell phones, and defense applications such as fighter jets, submarines and drones making a domestic supply critical. Our alternative to the current technology is protected by a combination of patent applications and trade secrets, both competitive advantages which are expected to expand via this project. A toll manufacturing business model is intended to help deploy the technology while insulating the startup company from commodity price fluctuations. The proposed technology is presently the sole market offering for the startup and thus this project is essential to the success of the company. The company intends to target domestic supply chain applications for initial market entry bolstering domestic manufacturing and improving national security. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to disrupt the current (>90% market share) oxyfluoride molten salt electrolysis for reduction of neodymium metal. The current oxyfluoride process is a semi-batch process that relies on consumption of a graphite anode which produces carbon dioxide and perfluorocarbons pollutants. The direct generation of perfluorocarbons, which are strictly regulated by the US EPA, makes domestic deployment of the oxyfluoride process challenging and costly. A novel alternative molten salt electrolysis process has been developed that is more electrically efficient than oxyfluoride. However, the process was originally developed for intermediate temperature, solid neodymium reduction. To achieve cost-competitiveness, this project aims to advance the novel process to run stably for extended durations at higher temperatu
Topic Code
M
Solicitation Number
NSF 24-579
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 6/20/25
Period of Performance
3/1/25
Start Date
2/28/26
End Date
Funding Split
$305.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$305.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to 2450998
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2450998
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
G8U6TH8DZHH1
Awardee CAGE
9YSA6
Performance District
OH-11
Senators
Sherrod Brown
J.D. (James) Vance
J.D. (James) Vance
Modified: 6/20/25