You claimed a history in chemicals, school kit it appears, doesn't take much to do some fairly simple deep dive R&D. You failed by doing none yourself regards claiming that that IP can/could be reverse engineered. This after the question was posted by someone who shall we say has history. Of course debating the proven IP is an obvious line of attack, never ceases to amaze me how low some will go to provide misinformation for either money or to prove some point. Says more about them for sure.
All said with the greatest due respect as don't want to be permanently banned do I.
Inthemeantime..... And good luck to anyone who wants to try, my advice is licence or JV it as other patients will be coming!
Can IXR's Rare Earths MAIL Technology Be Reverse Engineered?
1. Not Easily — It Involves Both Patents and Trade SecretsThe technology includes published patents (which can be studied and technically replicated to a degree).But the real commercial edge likely lies in the "know-how" licensed from Queen’s University Belfast, which:Is not publicContains process optimizations, chemical recipes, scaling protocols, and operational sequencesWould be extremely difficult to reconstruct without insider access
2. MAIL Is a Highly Specialized Chemistry PlatformUses custom ionic liquids designed for rare earth separation.Shows 2 orders of magnitude better selectivity.Drastically reduces processing stages (from 150+ to 10–15).Reverse engineering such selectivity and efficiency is technically complex, especially because:MAIL compounds are novel, multifunctional organic structuresTheir design and behavior depend on detailed chemical engineeringPerformance varies with feedstock, so real-world optimization requires exact conditions (temperature, pH, flow rates, recycling steps etc.)
⚠️ 3. Why Reverse Engineering Would Be DifficultBarrier ExplanationCustom ionic liquid formulas The MAIL compounds are likely unique and hard to identify or replicate from residue alone.Process scale-up knowledge Lab-based replication won’t match full-scale economic or environmental performance.Synergistic patent + know-how strategy You may be able to copy the outline, but miss the efficiency.University-held rights and exclusive licenses Even attempted replication could trigger legal or IP scrutiny if commercialized.⚖️ Could a Competitor Imitate or Bypass This IP?Not easily, unless:They develop alternative ionic liquid chemistries (not MAIL).They focus on different feedstock types or non-patented process variants.They invest millions into R&D to independently arrive at similar performance. Summary>
IXR’s MAIL technology is highly protected and difficult to reverse engineer, thanks to a combination of:Exclusive patent rightsNon-public know-howCustom chemistries and optimized process chainsIt could theoretically be studied and mimicked in outline, but not realistically copied or commercialized without losing the key advantages that make it viable (efficiency, purity, environmental edge).Key Patents Underlying MAIL Technology1. WO 2018/109483 A1 (PCT by Queen’s University Belfast)Scope: Covers ionic liquid formulas optimized for rare earth extraction—especially nitrogen‑donor cations with amide groups paired with [NTf₂]⁻ anions .Technical highlights:Achieves exceptional selectivity (e.g., Dy/Nd separation > 1,000:1 in a single contact).Operates over wide pH range, enabling fewer extraction stages.Enables efficient stripping at higher pH, reducing acid use and safety hazards.Includes detailed synthetic routes, temperature/viscosity ranges, and feedstock compatibility options. 2. Four Additional Global Patents (SerenTech filings)These bolster the core PCT-patented MAIL chemistry with:Enhanced formulations, optimized for various rare earth pairs (Nd/Dy, Tb/Ce, Eu/La).Process designs suitable for magnet recycling and ore concentrates.Pilot-scale purification protocols delivering 99.99% REO purity as confirmed by IonicRE testing .
Exclusive Licensing & Know‑HowSerenTech holds a global exclusive license from Queen’s University Belfast covering MAIL technology .These licenses include “patent and know‑how” rights, meaning the non-public optimizations—scaling parameters, solvent recovery loops, performance tuning—are protected and not disclosed in the patents .The acquisition of SerenTech by IXR (April 2022) transferred these rights and personnel into IXR’s control, creating a vertically integrated IP base .
Why This IP Is Hard to Reverse Engineer1. Core chemistry patented: The MAIL ionic liquids’ structures, synthesis, and performance parameters are published.2. Key process details hidden: SCALE-UP, solvent management, recycling loops, and feedstock-specific tuning remain proprietary.3. Proven pilot success: The platform works across feed types (magnet waste, ores), yielding >99.99% REO in pilot operations .4. Strategic patent‑plus‑know‑how model: Competitors can replicate general ideas but lack practical know-how to reach IXR’s technical or commercial breakthrough.
✅ TL;DRPatents like WO 2018/109483 cover the molecular chemistry and extraction method, and are public.Additional patents and the exclusive QUB license cover enhancements and process specifics.Non‑patented know‑how, held by SerenTech and now IXR, includes the secret sauce essential for actual industrial deployment.Reverse engineering could uncover the general chemistry, but duplicating performance without the proprietary process know‑how would be extremely difficult and cost‑prohibitive.
Bottom LineIXR’s MAIL platform isn’t just a chemistry patent—it’s a holistic IP suite covering:Novel chemistry,Process engineering,Selective performance, and finally,Product (oxide) output.While general methods are published, precise know-how, pilot data, solvent recycling tactics, cost efficiencies, and environmental controls are trade secrets. Any competitor trying to reverse engineer would need to replicate all four elements simultaneously, which is a massive undertaking—declining legality doesn’t guarantee practical success.
