The Energy Department announced the launch today of a research hub focused on rare earth elements and other critical materials at the national Ames Laboratory.

The Critical Materials Institute's work will range from mining and separation of materials to systems development and recycling. The Iowa lab will be joined in the effort by other national labs, rare earth companies and academic institutions.

A DOE report said in 2011 that supply problems associated with five rare earth elements may affect clean energy development in coming years. A host of metals and minerals are essential to manufacturing high-power magnets, wind turbines, mobile phones, solar panels and other technologies.

DOE Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy David Danielson said the institute's goal was to "find innovative technology solutions that will help us avoid a supply shortage that would threaten our clean energy industry as well as our security interests."

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who helped secure up to $120 million to fund the effort over five years, said in a statement, "This team will enable the United States to continue as a global leader in research and development in diverse technologies such as communications, control systems and advanced energy systems."