By: Giriraj Agarwal
Thomas Lograsso , a materials scientist, is the director of the Critical Materials Innovation Hub (CMI) , a U.S. Department of Energy Innovation Hub led by Ames National Laboratory. He co-invented a rare-earth free-substitute for Terfenol-D, an important alloy used in high-precision machining operations. In late February and early March 2025, Lograsso visited Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru as part of the U.S. Speaker Program to discuss secure and resilient global supply chains, technology commercialization and Ames Lab partnerships.
Lograsso’s visit and interactions advanced key U.S.-India initiatives, including COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) and TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology), while strengthening bilateral collaboration on critical minerals, advanced technologies and supply chain resilience.
Lograsso underscored the pressing global need for sustainable supply chains for critical minerals and highlighted the important role that U.S.-India cooperation can play in securing these resources. “Access to critical minerals is essential for technological advancement and economic security. Our cooperation with India will strengthen supply chains, foster innovation, and support industries that drive growth and resilience in both our nations,” he says.
Lograsso’s visit outlined a roadmap for future cooperation, including plans to launch a bidirectional student exchange program and establish a lab-to-lab agreement between Iowa State University, the Ames National Laboratory’s Critical Materials Innovation Hub, and Indian institutions. The visit also featured high-level discussions with executives from leading Indian conglomerates, forming partnerships to develop and license technologies aimed at improving the efficiency of critical mineral supply chains-supporting both prosperity and security.
Excerpts from an interview.
What is your assessment of critical material science research over the past decade and what are the challenges?
In the past decade, research in critical material science has made significant progress. The Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) has accelerated the discovery of new materials by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and open-source methods. This has led to breakthroughs in advanced alloys and biomaterials, which are used in industries such as aerospace and health care. Innovations in energy storage, like improved lithium-ion batteries, have made energy systems more efficient. Nanotechnology has enabled the development of materials with novel properties, like increased strength.
AI is also playing a growing role—accelerating material discovery, optimizing manufacturing, and enabling predictive maintenance by modeling behaviors and analyzing large datasets.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Geopolitical tensions and natural disasters can disrupt critical material supply chains. It’s important to ensure a stable supply.
How are the United States and India collaborating on critical material research and development?
The United States and India have launched several initiatives to strengthen collaboration in critical material research, especially in sectors like semiconductors. The TRUST Initiative enhances cooperation in recovering and processing critical minerals like lithium. The Advanced Materials R&D Forum expands collaboration between U.S. and Indian universities and researchers.
These efforts promote innovation by combining expertise and resources, while also helping diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on single sources. Strengthening research and development partnerships also boosts economic growth by creating high-quality jobs and promoting technological advancements.
What is the role of the Critical Materials Innovation Hub, and what are its major accomplishments?
The CMI Hub addresses challenges related to critical materials, which are essential for national security. It focuses on innovative solutions to develop resilient and secure supply chains for rare earth metals and other critical materials. The Hub addresses challenges across the materials lifecycle through collaborations with laboratories, universities, and industry. It collaborates with national laboratories, universities and industry partners.
The CMI Hub has developed energy-efficient technologies like membrane solvent extraction for recovering rare earth metals. It has secured 50 U.S. patents, 202 invention disclosures and licensed 50 technologies. The Hub has won 12 R&D 100 Awards and produced 635 peer-reviewed papers. Over 400 students and postdoctoral scholars have participated in the Hub, with many advancing to careers in government, industry and academia.
Why is supply chain diversification for critical materials a priority now?
Relying on a single country or region for critical materials makes supply chains vulnerable to geopolitical conflicts, trade restrictions and natural disasters. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters can disrupt supply chains, causing delays and shortages. Diversifying supply chains ensures that alternative sources are available, which helps mitigate these risks. It also enhances economic stability by reducing the impact of disruptions on industries and economies.
You visited India recently and interacted with different audiences. What were your key takeaways from the trip?
During my recent visits to Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru, interactions with different audiences highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing between U.S. and Indian institutions. The visits underscored the importance of collaboration, sustainability, and workforce development, particularly through educational programs. The discussions also underscored the potential for joint efforts to address global material challenges and drive innovation in critical technologies.
Is the Ames Lab collaborating with any Indian institutions?
Ames Lab partners with industry, academia, and other entities to move early-stage research toward commercialization. Programs like Cooperative Research & Development Agreements (CRADA) and Strategic Partnership Projects (SPP) support these efforts. While specific partnerships with Indian institutions were not highlighted, Ames Lab remains open to international collaborations and hosts visiting professionals through the Personnel Exchange Program.
(This article is published as part of a special arrangement between Kashmir Images and SPAN Magazine, the publication of the U.S. Embassy in India (https://spanmag.state.gov/).
