; and (B) scalable performance testing to be conducted on feedstock materials. (2) Selection In administering the process referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider applications from National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, private companies, multi-institutional collaborations, and other entities the Secretary determines appropriate. The Secretary may implement the Testbed as a single site or more than one site as necessary to carry out the mission of the Testbed as described in subsections (a) and (b). (b) Focus areas The Testbed shall include a focus on substantive and innovative improvements to critical materials processing technologies, including relating to the following: (1) Reduced energy intensity. (2) Reduced pollutants. (3) Reduced water consumption. (4) Lower environmental and societal impacts. (5) Lower lifecycle costs. (6) Improved recovery efficiencies. (7) Process improvement beyond traditional thermal or pyro chemical techniques. (8) Reduced volumes and toxicity of waste. (9) Noise reduction. (10) Worker safety. (11) Processing techniques and technologies which have applicability to a wide range of material sources. (c) Duration (1) In general The Testbed shall receive support for a period of not more than five years, subject to the availability of appropriations. (2) Renewal Upon the expiration of any period of support of the Testbed, the Secretary may renew support for the Testbed, on a merit-reviewed process, for a period of not more than five years. (d) Technology transfer The Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Technology Transitions of the Department, shall facilitate the translation and secure transfer to industry of research results produced at the Testbed. (e) Intellectual property The Secretary shall ensure the intellectual property and value proposition generated by research, development, and demonstration activities at the Testbed are retained within the United States. (f) Interagency engagement In carrying out this section, the