Topic leaderboard
Production or refining of metals
Ranked by the PatentIndex Score — a 1–99 percentile within C22B · public-visibility date · generated 2026
top 25 per window · public-visibility date
Rising· last 2 yrs
Inventors whose newest C22B patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199James A. Mennell31 patents · 588 citations
- 296Daniel J. Despen26 patents · 535 citations
- 392Ralph Peter Hackl18 patents · 491 citations
- 488Steven Chad Richardson19 patents · 147 citations
- 583Dana Geislinger17 patents · 144 citations
- 679Margaret Alden Tinsley17 patents · 144 citations
- 775Raquel Crossman19 patents · 144 citations
- 871Travis Gaddie17 patents · 144 citations
- 967Akaash Sanyal14 patents · 138 citations
- 1063Cory A. Demieville14 patents · 138 citations
- 1158Luke Gerdes16 patents · 138 citations
- 1254Luciano Kiniti Issoe16 patents · 138 citations
- 1350Muneeb Alam16 patents · 138 citations
- 1446Oleksandr Klesov16 patents · 138 citations
- 1542Robyn Freeman14 patents · 138 citations
- 1638Tianfang Ni16 patents · 138 citations
- 1733David Dreisinger23 patents · 424 citations
- 1829Steve Filips12 patents · 142 citations
- 1925Rodney James Dry23 patents · 285 citations
- 2021Joanna M. Robertson34 patents · 332 citations
- 2117Robin John Batterham10 patents · 174 citations
- 2213David Henry Snydacker18 patents · 126 citations
- 238John L. Burba, Iii17 patents · 152 citations
- 244Derek John Fray12 patents · 152 citations
- 251Diran Apelian9 patents · 125 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained C22B output across the last 5 years
- 199James A. Mennell31 patents · 588 citations
- 296Daniel J. Despen26 patents · 535 citations
- 392Paul V. Cooper53 patents · 3,316 citations
- 488Vincent D. Fontana17 patents · 691 citations
- 583Chien M. Wai16 patents · 789 citations
- 679Ralph Peter Hackl18 patents · 491 citations
- 775Stephen Harrison38 patents · 700 citations
- 871Devendra Kumar9 patents · 254 citations
- 967Satyendra Kumar9 patents · 254 citations
- 1063Steven Chad Richardson19 patents · 147 citations
- 1158Dana Geislinger17 patents · 144 citations
- 1254Margaret Alden Tinsley17 patents · 144 citations
- 1350Raquel Crossman19 patents · 144 citations
- 1446Travis Gaddie17 patents · 144 citations
- 1542Akaash Sanyal14 patents · 138 citations
- 1638Cory A. Demieville14 patents · 138 citations
- 1733Luke Gerdes16 patents · 138 citations
- 1829Luciano Kiniti Issoe16 patents · 138 citations
- 1925Muneeb Alam16 patents · 138 citations
- 2021Oleksandr Klesov16 patents · 138 citations
- 2117Robyn Freeman14 patents · 138 citations
- 2213Tianfang Ni16 patents · 138 citations
- 238Willem P. C. Duyvesteyn31 patents · 695 citations
- 244David Dreisinger23 patents · 424 citations
- 251Gary A. Kordosky15 patents · 400 citations
All-time canon
Career PatentIndex Score in C22B
- 199Daniel M. Lafontaine6 patents · 1,313 citations
- 296Brent A. Detering6 patents · 1,279 citations
- 392James R. Fincke5 patents · 1,196 citations
- 488James A. Mennell31 patents · 588 citations
- 583Daniel J. Despen26 patents · 535 citations
- 679Christopher J. Nagel21 patents · 1,541 citations
- 775Robert D. Bach8 patents · 1,147 citations
- 871Ronald E. Gilbert6 patents · 731 citations
- 967George S. Mordue10 patents · 994 citations
- 1063Paul V. Cooper53 patents · 3,316 citations
- 1158Jan H. L. Van Linden15 patents · 1,005 citations
- 1254Chris T. Vild14 patents · 943 citations
- 1350Vincent D. Fontana17 patents · 691 citations
- 1446Richard S. Henderson15 patents · 761 citations
- 1542Raymond J. Claxton6 patents · 704 citations
- 1638James A. Brierley13 patents · 800 citations
- 1733William J. Kohr39 patents · 962 citations
- 1829Cheryl Vanessa Rogerson5 patents · 362 citations
- 1925Patrick Di Giovanni5 patents · 362 citations
- 2021Chien M. Wai16 patents · 789 citations
- 2117Mark Gilbert Benz24 patents · 852 citations
- 2213Christopher Andrew Fleming17 patents · 566 citations
- 238Peter C. Kong4 patents · 1,057 citations
- 244Michael J. Kinosz7 patents · 530 citations
- 251Kenneth G. Thomas5 patents · 428 citations
Rising· last 2 yrs
The top-scoring C22B patents made public in the last 2 years
- 199US12278353B2✦ AISystems and methods for removal and recycling of aluminum impurities from battery waste3 cites · 202467% earned
- 296US12099942B2✦ AIChemical impacts on a leach stockpile4 cites · 202464% earned
- 392US11975317B2✦ AIIon exchange reactor with particle traps for lithium extraction4 cites · 202470% earned
- 488US11926882B1Method for producing aqueous solution containing nickel or cobalt4 cites · 202482% earned
- 583US12169796B2System and method for activating deep raffinate injection based on leach analytic data2 cites · 202444% earned
- 679US12172129B2Modular extraction apparatus2 cites · 202455% earned
- 775US12280322B2Lithium recovery using aqueous sources2 cites · 202455% earned
- 871US12286687B1Polymetallic-ore beneficiation and separation reagent, preparation method and use thereof2 cites · 202576% earned
- 967US12257528B2Methods and systems for separating metals2 cites · 202451% earned
- 1063US12148902B2Energy reclamation and carbon-neutral system for critical mineral extraction2 cites · 202467% earned
- 1158US12168813B2Electrokinetic device and method for in-situ leaching of uranium2 cites · 202476% earned
- 1254US12168063B2Stable, concentrated radionuclide complex solutions1 cites · 202438% earned
- 1350US12258640B2Systems and methods for improved carbon capture associated with molten metal production1 cites · 202456% earned
- 1446US12308403B2Apparatus for efficiently pretreating and recycling waste battery2 cites · 202576% earned
- 1542US11988178B2System and methods for propulsion and powering systems using recyclable metallic fuels2 cites · 202476% earned
- 1638US12091326B2Method for producing manganese(II) sulfate monohydrate from by-product of zinc refining pr1 cites · 202456% earned
- 1733US12046727B2Method for recovery of valuable metals from spent secondary batteries1 cites · 202456% earned
- 1829US12162773B2Extraction of lithium with chemical additives1 cites · 202456% earned
- 1925US11965258B1Sulfur dioxide depolarized electrolysis and electrolyzer therefore1 cites · 202456% earned
- 2021US12013057B2Systems, methods and apparatus for mine slope extraction1 cites · 202456% earned
- 2117US11918971B1Lithium adsorbent and preparation method therefor1 cites · 202467% earned
- 2213US11999626B1Leaching method of scheelite1 cites · 202467% earned
- 238US12412940B1Systems and methods for metal recovery from lithium ion batteries1 cites · 202567% earned
- 244US12577488B2Systems and apparatus for production of high-carbon biogenic reagents0 cites · 20240% earned
- 251US12278352B2Methods for purifying and recycling lead from spent lead-acid batteries0 cites · 20240% earned
Active· last 5 yrs
The top-scoring C22B patents of the last 5 years
- 199US11521138B1✦ AISystem and method for adjusting leaching operations based on leach analytic data42 cites · 202273% earned
- 296US11180820B1✦ AIHot-work die steel and a preparation method thereof42 cites · 202192% earned
- 392US10995014B1✦ AIProcess for producing crystallized metal sulfates39 cites · 202184% earned
- 488US11851723B2Carbon-negative metallurgical products22 cites · 202280% earned
- 583US11753698B2Bio-reduction of metal ores integrated with biomass pyrolysis18 cites · 202284% earned
- 679US12103892B2Biocarbon compositions with optimized compositional parameters, and processes for producin13 cites · 202383% earned
- 775US11876196B2Process for removing impurities in the recycling of lithium-ion batteries8 cites · 202380% earned
- 871US11254585B2Method for treating pickling acid residue16 cites · 202189% earned
- 967US11502345B2Method and apparatus for recycling lithium-ion batteries10 cites · 202269% earned
- 1063US11174532B1Processes for producing lithium compounds using reverse osmosis15 cites · 202183% earned
- 1158US11639539B2Systems and methods for monitoring metal recovery systems7 cites · 202268% earned
- 1254US10907239B1Methods of producing a titanium alloy product10 cites · 202181% earned
- 1350US12278353B2Systems and methods for removal and recycling of aluminum impurities from battery waste3 cites · 202467% earned
- 1446US11802342B2Methods for wet atomic layer etching of ruthenium6 cites · 202385% earned
- 1542US11508999B2Lithium-ion batteries recycling process12 cites · 202188% earned
- 1638US11851730B2Apparatus and method for production of high purify copper-based alloys4 cites · 202362% earned
- 1733US12099942B2Chemical impacts on a leach stockpile4 cites · 202464% earned
- 1829US11761057B1Method for refining one or more critical minerals4 cites · 202367% earned
- 1925US11975317B2Ion exchange reactor with particle traps for lithium extraction4 cites · 202470% earned
- 2021US11292725B2Method for recovering lithium hydroxide8 cites · 202176% earned
- 2117US11926882B1Method for producing aqueous solution containing nickel or cobalt4 cites · 202482% earned
- 2213US11732326B1Extraction of lithium from mudstone and sequestration of carbon dioxide4 cites · 202382% earned
- 238US11767604B22-step iron conversion system5 cites · 202262% earned
- 244US11682801B1Processes for recycling spent catalysts, recycling rechargeable batteries, and integrated 5 cites · 202377% earned
- 251US11260315B1Methods and systems for separating metals6 cites · 202265% earned
All-time canon
The defining C22B patents of the whole record
- 199US5868735A✦ AICryoplasty device and method559 cites · 199987% earned
- 296US5935293A✦ AIFast quench reactor method390 cites · 199990% earned
- 392US6262129B1✦ AIMethod for producing nanoparticles of transition metals370 cites · 200194% earned
- 488US4311490ADiamond and cubic boron nitride abrasive compacts using size selective abrasive particle l347 cites · 198294% earned
- 583US5749937AFast quench reactor and method322 cites · 199889% earned
- 679US6290696B1Cryoplasty device and method283 cites · 200185% earned
- 775US4474896AAdsorbent compositions267 cites · 198494% earned
- 871USRE37853EFast quench reactor and method262 cites · 200289% earned
- 967US9249241B2Surface-functionalized mesoporous carbon materials254 cites · 201494% earned
- 1063US6648878B2Cryoplasty device and method216 cites · 200285% earned
- 1158US5301620AReactor and method for disassociating waste215 cites · 199494% earned
- 1254US5607496ARemoval of mercury from a combustion gas stream and apparatus214 cites · 199794% earned
- 1350US4361441ATreatment of matter in low temperature plasmas204 cites · 198291% earned
- 1446US4539041AProcess for the reduction of metallic compounds by polyols, and metallic powders obtained 196 cites · 198594% earned
- 1542US7622693B2Plasma whirl reactor apparatus and methods of use193 cites · 200384% earned
- 1638US4471003AMagnetoplasmadynamic apparatus and process for the separation and deposition of materials192 cites · 198494% earned
- 1733US7022120B2Cryoplasty device and method187 cites · 200484% earned
- 1829US4722756AMethod for deoxidizing tantalum material181 cites · 198894% earned
- 1925US4670008AHigh flux threaded needle178 cites · 198794% earned
- 2021US4652433AMethod for the recovery of minerals and production of by-products from coal ash178 cites · 198794% earned
- 2117US4286985AVortex melting system177 cites · 198194% earned
- 2213US3997336AMetal scrap melting system176 cites · 197694% earned
- 238US4128415AAluminum scrap reclamation176 cites · 197894% earned
- 244US6645444B2Metal nanocrystals and synthesis thereof174 cites · 200394% earned
- 251US3984234AMethod and apparatus for circulating a molten media173 cites · 197694% earned
Rising· last 2 yrs
Assignees whose newest C22B patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199CARBON TECH HOLDINGS LLC31 patents · 318 citations
- 296FREEPORT MINERALS CORP44 patents · 214 citations
- 392UNIV CALIFORNIA17 patents · 376 citations
- 488TECH RESOURCES PTY LTD44 patents · 674 citations
- 583COMMISSARIAT ENERGIE ATOMIQUE58 patents · 583 citations
- 679SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO132 patents · 558 citations
- 775LILAC SOLUTIONS INC17 patents · 114 citations
- 871UNIV CHICAGO6 patents · 121 citations
- 967WORCESTER POLYTECH INST15 patents · 62 citations
- 1063SHINETSU CHEMICAL CO10 patents · 86 citations
- 1158TERRALITHIUM LLC10 patents · 33 citations
- 1254NANT HOLDINGS IP LLC6 patents · 17 citations
- 1350UMICORE NV27 patents · 64 citations
- 1446ELECTRASTEEL INC7 patents · 14 citations
- 1542SOLVAY8 patents · 13 citations
- 1638ATI PROPERTIES LLC9 patents · 16 citations
- 1733ADVANCED ACCELERATOR APPLICATIONS SA6 patents · 4 citations
- 1829UNIV KING SAUD8 patents · 19 citations
- 1925ALBEMARLE CORP4 patents · 32 citations
- 2021UOP LLC5 patents · 15 citations
- 2117INT BATTERY METALS LTD5 patents · 7 citations
- 2213REED ADVANCED MAT PTY LTD5 patents · 13 citations
- 238JETTI RESOURCES LLC7 patents · 4 citations
- 244LYTEN INC5 patents · 7 citations
- 251DOGGONE INVEST CO LLC4 patents · 7 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained C22B output across the last 5 years
- 199CARBON TECH HOLDINGS LLC31 patents · 318 citations
- 296MOLTEN METAL EQUIPMENT INNOVATIONS LLC32 patents · 1,126 citations
- 392US ENERGY93 patents · 1,485 citations
- 488FREEPORT MINERALS CORP44 patents · 214 citations
- 583BARRICK GOLD CORP25 patents · 488 citations
- 679KOBE STEEL LTD49 patents · 693 citations
- 775UNIV CALIFORNIA17 patents · 376 citations
- 871UT BATTELLE LLC21 patents · 420 citations
- 967TECH RESOURCES PTY LTD44 patents · 674 citations
- 1063BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE22 patents · 321 citations
- 1158COMMISSARIAT ENERGIE ATOMIQUE58 patents · 583 citations
- 1254JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC12 patents · 231 citations
- 1350NEMASKA LITHIUM INC12 patents · 150 citations
- 1446SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO132 patents · 558 citations
- 1542APPLIED MATERIALS INC9 patents · 165 citations
- 1638TOHO TITANIUM CO LTD12 patents · 209 citations
- 1733UNIV BRITISH COLUMBIA12 patents · 164 citations
- 1829IND TECH RES INST8 patents · 196 citations
- 1925MASSACHUSETTS INST TECHNOLOGY14 patents · 166 citations
- 2021LILAC SOLUTIONS INC17 patents · 114 citations
- 2117COMMW SCIENT IND RES ORG25 patents · 239 citations
- 2213CHEVRON USA INC13 patents · 157 citations
- 238UNIV CHICAGO6 patents · 121 citations
- 244BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE LLC21 patents · 198 citations
- 251AIR LIQUIDE15 patents · 202 citations
All-time canon
All-time PatentIndex Score in C22B
- 199MOLTEN METAL TECH INC10 patents · 1,470 citations
- 296CARBON TECH HOLDINGS LLC31 patents · 318 citations
- 392CARBORUNDUM CO8 patents · 798 citations
- 488METAULLICS SYSTEMS CO LP11 patents · 1,514 citations
- 583ALUMINUM CO OF AMERICA91 patents · 2,568 citations
- 679CABOT CORP46 patents · 1,477 citations
- 775MOLTEN METAL EQUIPMENT INNOVATIONS LLC32 patents · 1,126 citations
- 871COOPER PAUL V15 patents · 1,173 citations
- 967SCIMED LIFE SYSTEMS INC4 patents · 1,245 citations
- 1063GEN ELECTRIC78 patents · 1,803 citations
- 1158ALCAN INT LTD51 patents · 1,314 citations
- 1254GEOBIOTICS INC22 patents · 812 citations
- 1350IDAHO RES FOUND18 patents · 894 citations
- 1446STARCK H C INC10 patents · 608 citations
- 1542NEWMONT GOLD CO11 patents · 588 citations
- 1638ALCOA INC28 patents · 631 citations
- 1733PECHINEY ALUMINIUM19 patents · 593 citations
- 1829COMINCO ENG SERVICES18 patents · 725 citations
- 1925ALUSUISSE59 patents · 1,262 citations
- 2021DOW CHEMICAL CO48 patents · 1,056 citations
- 2117UNION CARBIDE CORP34 patents · 841 citations
- 2213US ENERGY93 patents · 1,485 citations
- 238STARCK H C GMBH CO KG10 patents · 566 citations
- 244FREEPORT MINERALS CORP44 patents · 214 citations
- 251BARRICK GOLD CORP25 patents · 488 citations
90–99 field-defining50–89 strong<50 emergingearned by citationsfrom family breadth