Xerion Advanced Battery Corp. is tackling the U.S. reliance on foreign cobalt by opening a pilot facility in Dayton, Ohio. With current cobalt refining dominated by China, the company's innovative one-step technique promises to produce highly refined cobalt using electricity and heat. Cobalt is crucial for both electric vehicles and military applications, with Xerion's plant set to produce 2,000 metric tons annually. This approach may enhance U.S. self-sufficiency in critical minerals and address geopolitical concerns surrounding cobalt supply chains.