Topic leaderboard
Electrolytic production or refining of metals
Ranked by the PatentIndex Score — a 1–99 percentile within C25C · public-visibility date · generated 2026
top 25 per window · public-visibility date
Rising· last 2 yrs
Inventors whose newest C25C patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199Scot P. Sandoval26 patents · 229 citations
- 296Derek John Fray15 patents · 164 citations
- 392Robert Dufresne16 patents · 83 citations
- 488Claude Allaire8 patents · 41 citations
- 583Adolfredo Alvarez5 patents · 14 citations
- 679Ai Quoc Pham5 patents · 14 citations
- 775Sandeep Nijhawan5 patents · 14 citations
- 871Steven Fatur5 patents · 14 citations
- 967Benjamin Kohler7 patents · 9 citations
- 1063James R. Cox7 patents · 9 citations
- 1158Michael G. Lewis7 patents · 9 citations
- 1254Jesse Baucom7 patents · 9 citations
- 1350Sanjeev Kolli7 patents · 9 citations
- 1446Beniamin Zahiri8 patents · 0 citations
- 1542Saad Dara10 patents · 0 citations
- 1638Maciej Jastrzebski8 patents · 6 citations
- 1733Aron Tyab3 patents · 3 citations
- 1829Ephrem Lemlem Gebrehiwot3 patents · 3 citations
- 1925Stanberg Lee Tallman3 patents · 3 citations
- 2021William Duane Sanders3 patents · 3 citations
- 2117Richard Robert Salvucci5 patents · 2 citations
- 2213Gary W. Sams4 patents · 2 citations
- 238Thomas Anthony Villalon, Jr.4 patents · 2 citations
- 244Dominic Vincent Perroni3 patents · 2 citations
- 251Florence Binet3 patents · 2 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained C25C output across the last 5 years
- 199Donald R. Sadoway11 patents · 315 citations
- 296Stephen Harrison9 patents · 188 citations
- 392Xinghua Liu24 patents · 312 citations
- 488Samaresh Mohanta11 patents · 165 citations
- 583Scot P. Sandoval26 patents · 229 citations
- 679Derek John Fray15 patents · 164 citations
- 775Robert L. Kozarek8 patents · 172 citations
- 871Wayne W. Hazen21 patents · 130 citations
- 967David Dixon14 patents · 58 citations
- 1063Edouard Asselin12 patents · 44 citations
- 1158Zihe Ren12 patents · 44 citations
- 1254Barbara J. Savage12 patents · 74 citations
- 1350David G. Meadows12 patents · 74 citations
- 1446Jason M Morgan12 patents · 74 citations
- 1542Leroy E. D'Astolfo15 patents · 110 citations
- 1638Mark A. Williamson20 patents · 134 citations
- 1733Robert Dufresne16 patents · 83 citations
- 1829Claude Allaire8 patents · 41 citations
- 1925Uday B. Pal7 patents · 96 citations
- 2021Adolfredo Alvarez5 patents · 14 citations
- 2117Ai Quoc Pham5 patents · 14 citations
- 2213Sandeep Nijhawan5 patents · 14 citations
- 238Steven Fatur5 patents · 14 citations
- 244Emilie Bodoin6 patents · 21 citations
- 251Lawrence Ralph Swonger5 patents · 37 citations
All-time canon
Career PatentIndex Score in C25C
- 199Siba P. Ray40 patents · 1,382 citations
- 296Vittorio De Nora88 patents · 1,531 citations
- 392Theodore R. Beck7 patents · 461 citations
- 488Jainagesh A. Sekhar37 patents · 691 citations
- 583Kenneth L. Hardee20 patents · 530 citations
- 679Lynne M. Ernes18 patents · 486 citations
- 775Richard J. Brooks8 patents · 418 citations
- 871Robert K. Dawless11 patents · 372 citations
- 967James C. Withers12 patents · 378 citations
- 1063Donald R. Sadoway11 patents · 315 citations
- 1158Andy W. Getsy7 patents · 240 citations
- 1254Robert W. Woods6 patents · 272 citations
- 1350Richard C. Carlson10 patents · 236 citations
- 1446Robert B. Hosler12 patents · 265 citations
- 1542Antonio Nidola17 patents · 361 citations
- 1638Jean-Jacques Duruz48 patents · 897 citations
- 1733Donald P. Ziegler9 patents · 247 citations
- 1829Placido M. Spaziante9 patents · 278 citations
- 1925Ajit Sane5 patents · 233 citations
- 2021Subodh K. Das15 patents · 295 citations
- 2117Stephen Harrison9 patents · 188 citations
- 2213Xinghua Liu24 patents · 312 citations
- 238Douglas A. Weirauch, Jr.15 patents · 265 citations
- 244Craig W. Brown11 patents · 292 citations
- 251Gary V. Upperman5 patents · 265 citations
Rising· last 2 yrs
The top-scoring C25C patents made public in the last 2 years
- 199US12280322B2✦ AILithium recovery using aqueous sources2 cites · 202455% earned
- 296US12012664B1✦ AIMembrane-based alkali metal extraction system3 cites · 202480% earned
- 392US12148902B2✦ AIEnergy reclamation and carbon-neutral system for critical mineral extraction2 cites · 202467% earned
- 488US12098474B2Acid mist suppression in copper electrowinning1 cites · 202444% earned
- 583US12241171B2Membrane-based critical minerals purification system1 cites · 202456% earned
- 679US12091326B2Method for producing manganese(II) sulfate monohydrate from by-product of zinc refining pr1 cites · 202456% earned
- 775US12338538B2Li recovery processes and onsite chemical production for Li recovery processes0 cites · 20240% earned
- 871US12577696B2Ore dissolution and iron conversion system0 cites · 20240% earned
- 967US12435438B2System and method for extraction and refining of titanium0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1063US12503784B2Methods and apparatus for extracting metals from materials0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1158US12366003B2Material components protection against the corrosive action cryolite melts in aluminium re0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1254US12379062B2Assemblies for alignment and leveling of an electrolytic tank upon expansion or retraction0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1350US12110603B2Energy reclamation and carbon-neutral system for ultra-efficient EV battery recycling0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1446US12540413B2Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal0 cites · 20250% earned
- 1542US12435389B2System and process for progressive refractory ore transformation for copper leaching0 cites · 20250% earned
- 1638US12359329B2Systems and methods for feeding solid material and a gas into an electrolytic cell0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1733US12357945B2Systems and methods for recovery of substances from molten salt electrolysis0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1829US12529157B2Method of aluminum-scandium alloy production0 cites · 20250% earned
- 1925US11926914B1Tungsten electrode for molten salt electrolysis for rare earth metals preparation, and pre0 cites · 20240% earned
- 2021US12460309B2Direct electrochemical extraction of lithium from ores0 cites · 20250% earned
- 2117US12515962B2Reduction cell for producing aluminum0 cites · 20240% earned
- 2213US12359330B2Molten oxide electrolysis methods and related systems0 cites · 20240% earned
- 238US12503401B2Method for preparing nickel ferrite-based eutectic ceramic inert anode material0 cites · 20250% earned
- 244US12460310B2Integrated systems employing carbon oxide electrolysis in aluminum production0 cites · 20240% earned
- 251US12168833B1Electrification and leaching agent for mining rare earth ore by electrification0 cites · 20240% earned
Active· last 5 yrs
The top-scoring C25C patents of the last 5 years
- 199US11588146B2✦ AILithium metal anode and battery9 cites · 202281% earned
- 296US11008247B1✦ AIGlass ceramic and preparation method thereof9 cites · 202187% earned
- 392US11767604B2✦ AI2-step iron conversion system5 cites · 202262% earned
- 488US11718558B2Process to make calcium oxide or ordinary Portland cement from calcium bearing rocks and m5 cites · 202269% earned
- 583US12280322B2Lithium recovery using aqueous sources2 cites · 202455% earned
- 679US12012664B1Membrane-based alkali metal extraction system3 cites · 202480% earned
- 775US12188141B2Electrowinning cell for the production of lithium and method of using same3 cites · 202372% earned
- 871US12188140B2Electrorefining apparatus and process for refining lithium metal3 cites · 202380% earned
- 967US12252409B2Preparation of lithium carbonate from lithium chloride containing brines2 cites · 202353% earned
- 1063US12148902B2Energy reclamation and carbon-neutral system for critical mineral extraction2 cites · 202467% earned
- 1158US11807952B2Acid mist suppression in copper electrowinning2 cites · 202355% earned
- 1254US11827991B1Energy reclamation and carbon-neutral system for ultra-efficient EV battery recycling2 cites · 202361% earned
- 1350US12027691B2Vertically integrated pure lithium metal production and lithium battery production3 cites · 202272% earned
- 1446US11492716B2Material components protection against the corrosive action cryolite melts in aluminium re3 cites · 202263% earned
- 1542US11427480B2Conversion of uranium hexafluoride and recovery of uranium from ionic liquids3 cites · 202272% earned
- 1638US11584974B2System and method including multi-circuit solution extraction for recovery of metal values2 cites · 202153% earned
- 1733US11952673B2Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal1 cites · 202350% earned
- 1829US12241171B2Membrane-based critical minerals purification system1 cites · 202456% earned
- 1925US12091326B2Method for producing manganese(II) sulfate monohydrate from by-product of zinc refining pr1 cites · 202456% earned
- 2021US11779886B1Water-impermeable carbon-based electrolyte and separation membrane and fabrication thereof1 cites · 202367% earned
- 2117US12374733B2Lithium recovery via charging of lithium-ion batteries1 cites · 202367% earned
- 2213US11613822B1Resin carbon anode green body and preparation method thereof, green body intermediate and 1 cites · 202367% earned
- 238US12421616B2Faradic porosity cell1 cites · 202367% earned
- 244US11359257B2System and method for liquid-organic particle separation1 cites · 202150% earned
- 251US11486045B1Low temperature lithium production1 cites · 202267% earned
All-time canon
The defining C25C patents of the whole record
- 199US4035565A✦ AIFluoropolymer containing a small amount of bromine-containing olefin units436 cites · 197792% earned
- 296US4422917A✦ AIElectrode material, electrode and electrochemical cell190 cites · 198394% earned
- 392US4214060A✦ AIFluoropolymer composition188 cites · 198091% earned
- 488US5433797ANanocrystalline metals183 cites · 199594% earned
- 583US6770187B1Method for electrochemically producing an alkali metal from an aqueous solution177 cites · 200494% earned
- 679US4405416AMolten salt lithium cells154 cites · 198394% earned
- 775US6432292B1Method of electrodepositing metal on electrically conducting particles128 cites · 200290% earned
- 871US5006209AElectrolytic reduction of alumina127 cites · 199193% earned
- 967US4931168AGas permeable electrode118 cites · 199093% earned
- 1063US5284562ANon-consumable anode and lining for aluminum electrolytic reduction cell117 cites · 199493% earned
- 1158US4999097AApparatus and method for the electrolytic production of metals117 cites · 199193% earned
- 1254US6368486B1Low temperature alkali metal electrolysis109 cites · 200287% earned
- 1350US5607619AInorganic perbromide compositions and methods of use thereof109 cites · 199793% earned
- 1446US5198081AMethod and electrode for electrochemical recovery of lithium value from aqueous solution103 cites · 199393% earned
- 1542US6540902B1Direct electrochemical reduction of metal-oxides101 cites · 200393% earned
- 1638US4575407AProduct and process for the activation of an electrolytic cell95 cites · 198693% earned
- 1733US4405433AAluminum reduction cell electrode92 cites · 198393% earned
- 1829US4528084AElectrode with electrocatalytic surface92 cites · 198593% earned
- 1925US5279715AProcess and apparatus for low temperature electrolysis of oxides90 cites · 199489% earned
- 2021US4338177AElectrolytic cell for the production of aluminum88 cites · 198293% earned
- 2117US4670110AProcess for the electrolytic deposition of aluminum using a composite anode87 cites · 198793% earned
- 2213US5296274AMethod of producing carbon-containing materials by electron beam vacuum evaporation of gra86 cites · 199493% earned
- 238US4865701AElectrolytic reduction of alumina86 cites · 198993% earned
- 244US5368702AElectrode assemblies and mutimonopolar cells for aluminium electrowinning85 cites · 199493% earned
- 251US4585539AElectrolytic reactor83 cites · 198693% earned
Rising· last 2 yrs
Assignees whose newest C25C patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199FREEPORT MINERALS CORP18 patents · 38 citations
- 296ELECTRASTEEL INC6 patents · 14 citations
- 392UNIV CHICAGO6 patents · 41 citations
- 488LYTEN INC7 patents · 9 citations
- 583CONS NUCLEAR SECURITY LLC7 patents · 19 citations
- 679MANGROVE WATER TECH LTD10 patents · 0 citations
- 775BASF SE10 patents · 11 citations
- 871LI METAL CORP6 patents · 6 citations
- 967SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORP5 patents · 2 citations
- 1063PHOENIX TAILINGS INC5 patents · 2 citations
- 1158UNIVERSAL ACHEMETAL TITANIUM LLC5 patents · 0 citations
- 1254KOREA ZINC CO LTD3 patents · 6 citations
- 1350GONTHIER GHISLAIN3 patents · 2 citations
- 1446PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC7 patents · 0 citations
- 1542BOSTON ELECTROMETALLURGICAL CORP4 patents · 1 citations
- 1638SITRATION INC2 patents · 0 citations
- 1733UNIV BEIJING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY4 patents · 0 citations
- 1829OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOSTYU “OBEDINENNAYA KOMPANIYA RUSAL INZHENERNO TEKH TS3 patents · 0 citations
- 1925ALUMINUM TECH LLC2 patents · 0 citations
- 2021CAID IND INC2 patents · 0 citations
- 2117CEIBO INC1 patents · 0 citations
- 2213YANEZ CASTANEDA PERCY DANILO2 patents · 0 citations
- 238FEA MAT LLC1 patents · 0 citations
- 244GANZHOU CHENGUANG RARE EARTHS NEW MAT CO LTD1 patents · 0 citations
- 251PENN STATE RES FOUND1 patents · 0 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained C25C output across the last 5 years
- 199MASSACHUSETTS INST TECHNOLOGY7 patents · 245 citations
- 296NORSK HYDRO AS32 patents · 236 citations
- 392MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORP18 patents · 95 citations
- 488JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORP22 patents · 77 citations
- 583FREEPORT MINERALS CORP18 patents · 38 citations
- 679SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO10 patents · 47 citations
- 775ELECTRASTEEL INC6 patents · 14 citations
- 871UNIV CHICAGO6 patents · 41 citations
- 967RIO TINTO ALCAN INT LTD15 patents · 27 citations
- 1063INDUSTRIE DE NORA SPA18 patents · 33 citations
- 1158BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE LLC8 patents · 14 citations
- 1254PERMASCAND AB5 patents · 45 citations
- 1350ELYSIS LP11 patents · 13 citations
- 1446AQUA METALS INC10 patents · 11 citations
- 1542LYTEN INC7 patents · 9 citations
- 1638SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD4 patents · 32 citations
- 1733ALCOA USA CORP8 patents · 8 citations
- 1829TERRALITHIUM LLC3 patents · 10 citations
- 1925CONS NUCLEAR SECURITY LLC7 patents · 19 citations
- 2021MANGROVE WATER TECH LTD10 patents · 0 citations
- 2117BASF SE10 patents · 11 citations
- 22136TH WAVE INNOVATIONS CORP3 patents · 13 citations
- 238PURE LITHIUM CORP3 patents · 12 citations
- 244LI METAL CORP6 patents · 6 citations
- 251JETTI RESOURCES LLC5 patents · 0 citations
All-time canon
All-time PatentIndex Score in C25C
- 199DU PONT31 patents · 1,265 citations
- 296ALUMINUM CO OF AMERICA138 patents · 3,105 citations
- 392ELTECH SYSTEMS CORP54 patents · 1,541 citations
- 488MOLTECH INVENT SA94 patents · 1,634 citations
- 583US ENERGY27 patents · 684 citations
- 679ALCOA INC58 patents · 810 citations
- 775KAISER ALUMINIUM CHEM CORP11 patents · 385 citations
- 871ALUSUISSE72 patents · 1,204 citations
- 967ALCAN INT LTD55 patents · 859 citations
- 1063DIAMOND SHAMROCK TECHN11 patents · 331 citations
- 1158NORTHWEST ALUMINUM TECHNOLOGIES11 patents · 298 citations
- 1254DIAMOND SHAMROCK CORP12 patents · 284 citations
- 1350METALLURG INC6 patents · 266 citations
- 1446US ARMY12 patents · 242 citations
- 1542REYNOLDS METALS CO29 patents · 427 citations
- 1638PECHINEY ALUMINIUM70 patents · 987 citations
- 1733COMINCO LTD19 patents · 342 citations
- 1829AMAX INC11 patents · 272 citations
- 1925ELECTRIC FUEL LTD6 patents · 185 citations
- 2021GREAT LAKES CARBON CORP19 patents · 323 citations
- 2117OUTOKUMPU OY34 patents · 357 citations
- 2213COMALCO ALU15 patents · 254 citations
- 238DOW CHEMICAL CO16 patents · 230 citations
- 244UNIV CALIFORNIA5 patents · 155 citations
- 251PAREL SA7 patents · 165 citations
90–99 field-defining50–89 strong<50 emergingearned by citationsfrom family breadth