Nigerian-Born Chemist at Oregon State Pioneers Breakthrough in Critical Metals Separation for Sustainable Technology

Ayodeji Ake

A brilliant Nigerian chemist based in the United States is making global waves in materials science, developing novel separation techniques for rare earth and platinum group metals that could transform how clean energy and electronics industries reclaim critical resources.

Doctor Stephen, an expert in material chemistry, has earned attention for his cutting-edge work on the separation of critical materials via metal-oxo cluster chemistry and solvent extraction strategies. His work holds promise for more efficient recycling of magnets, catalysts, batteries, and high-value metals—ushering in greener supply chains and reducing dependency on geopolitically sensitive mining.

“My goal is to design molecular systems that can discriminate one metal from another under mild, scalable conditions,” Stephen says. “If we can do that with high selectivity, it opens doors for cost-effective recovery from electronic and industrial waste streams.”

Hailing from Kaduna State, Nigeria, Stephen earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry before venturing into advanced research at Oregon State University, focusing on rare earth and platinum group element separations.

He is employing a suite of advanced tools—including single-crystal X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, and solvent extraction—to understand how metal-oxo frameworks self-assemble and selectively bind metals.

His industrial stint at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) added another layer of sophistication to his portfolio. There, he designed microscale separation procedures toward crystallization of radium and heavy f-element complexes, leveraging his expertise in radiochemistry and structural analysis.

Why does this work matter? Rare earths and platinum group metals are essential for many “green” technologies including electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, catalysts in fuel cells and exhaust systems, and next-generation electronics. Yet their extraction and refinement are costly, energy-intensive, and often raise environmental and geopolitical concerns.

Stephen’s approach, using supramolecular clusters and controlled crystallization to pull apart metals, offers a lower-impact, more selective alternative to traditional bulk chemical methods. In his lab, he explores how counterions, ligand design, and solution chemistry influence which metals migrate into solid frameworks or separate phases.

He has already published significant findings in journals such as ACS Inorganic Chemistry (2025), and Angewandte Chemie International. His work on polyoxopalladates and the separation of lanthanoid, yttrium, and thorium complexes stands out as a beacon in the field.

Stephen’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. He was awarded the International Precious Metals Institute Outstanding Student Recognition (2025) and was selected for the prestigious Graduate Research Opportunity (GRO) national fellowship at ORNL where he advanced studies in coordination chemistry, radiochemistry, and radionuclide separation. His oral presentations at international conferences including the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) have further amplified his voice in the scientific community.

Looking ahead, Stephen plans to expand his research into scalable pilot systems and collaborate with industry partner eager for cleaner recycling technologies. He is particularly interested in partnering with electronics manufacturers, battery firms, and national labs to translate his molecular insights into real-world processes.

“Science isn’t just about novelty; it’s about impact,” he notes. “If we can make separations that reduce waste, energy use, and costs, then we’ve done something meaningful.”

For Nigeria and young African scientists, Stephen stands as a rising model who bridges continents, masters cutting-edge techniques, and aims to return solutions to global challenges. His journey underscores how talent combined with opportunity can reshape not just a career but entire industries.