via Cornell University
Rare earth elements power electric cars, wind turbines and smartphones. Retrieving these metals from raw ore requires processing with acids and solvents.
Now, Cornell scientists have characterized the genome of Shewanella oneidensis – a metal-loving bacteria with an affinity for rare earth elements – to replace the harsh chemical processing with a benign practice called biosorption.
Their research, “Genomic Characterization of Rare Earth Binding by Shewanella oneidensis,” was published Sept. 25 in Scientific Reports.
“The problem with the current methods of rare earth element purification is that they rely heavily on organic solvents and harsh chemicals,” said senior author Buz Barstow, assistant professor of biological and environmental engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “These methods are costly and environmentally damaging. Here we have a green alternative that uses microbes to selectively adsorb and purify rare earth elements, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals. We’re making the purification process greener.”
The microbe selectively adsorbs – or clings – to these rare earth elements, making it an ideal candidate to carry out an eco-friendly purification procedure.
Generally, S. oneidensis prefers dining on the f-block elements residing in the sixth row of the periodic table, known as the lanthanides. Specifically, the microbe favors europium.
Characterizing the S. oneidensis’s genome allows scientists to tweak its preference for processing the other rare earth elements.
The scientists screened 3,373 parts of the S. oneidensis genome and found 242 genes that influence it.
The mutant genes found in the bacteria by the scientists can reduce the length of that rare earth element purification process by almost one-third – compared with the wild variety of S. oneidensis – and offers a roadmap for honing this green method.
“Our work points to key genes that control membrane composition that are traditionally responsible for cell adhesion and biofilm formation in rare earth element biosorption,” said lead author Sean Medin, a doctoral student in Barstow’s lab and a founder of REEgen. “This work advances the mechanisms responsible for rare earth elements biosorption in S. oneidensis.”
This work has the potential to make processing rare earths cleaner and scalable, Medin said. “Currently all the purification of rare earth elements is done abroad, due to stringent environmental regulations and high infrastructure costs of building a separations plant,” he said. “Our process would make environmentally harmful solvents unnecessary.
“Our process potentially would be significantly less land- and capital-intensive to build,” Medin said, “as our separations could be done with repeated enrichment through columns full of immobilized bacteria instead of mixer-settler plants that are miles long.”
While the technology is still in development, the researchers are optimistic about potential impact. This technology could help develop a stable U.S. supply of rare earth elements for technology and defense applications, said Barstow, a faculty fellow at the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.
The group anticipates creating a pilot-scale purification system by 2028.
“This research gives us a genetic blueprint for making a microbe that allows us to purify rare earths in an environmentally friendly way,” Barstow said. “If you want to reduce climate change, this allows us to build a sustainable energy infrastructure – things like improving electric vehicles, wind turbines, creating superconductors and offering high-efficiency lighting. That’s the ultimate payoff.”
Original Article: Metal-loving microbes savor green way to refine rare earth
More from: Cornell University
The Latest Updates from Bing News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Rare earth mineral processing
- The Dirtiest Side of EVs: Rare Earths and Conflict Metals
"Typical mining operations for rare earth mines vary from hard rock to heavy-mineral sands and ionic adsorption clay operations," de Jonge said. "For hard rock assets (the most common), metallurgy is ...
- Moriah ore tailings pile could be rare earths source
MORIAH — Phoenix Tailings has started a pilot program to recover rare earths from the old iron ore tailings pile in Moriah.
- Energy Fuels Announces Acquisition of Base Resources, Expanding Its Presence in Uranium and Rare Earth Production
Energy Fuels Inc. (TSX:EFR) (NYSE: UUUU), a U.S.-based uranium and rare earth producer, has agreed to acquire 100% of the issued shares of Base Resources, ...
- Energy Fuels Secures Critical Mineral Supply Chain Via $240M Base Resources Deal
Energy Fuels, a Lakewood, Colorado-based uranium and critical minerals producer, agreed to acquire Australian junior miner Base Resources.
- What is mineral sands mining and why are farmers wary of its potential to lead us 'out of climate crisis'?
We need mineral sands for a number of products, including electric cars and even sunscreen. So how do we mine for them in Australia? And why are farmers worried about the process?
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Rare earth elements
- Lynas Rare Earths: The Storm Is Not Over, Yet
Discover Lynas Rare Earths' disappointing Q3 results, declining prices, inventory management, and progress on projects. Read the article for more details.
- MB: Perak to collaborate with rare earth elements firm from S. Korea
The Perak state government is expected to establish cooperation with Star Group Industries (SGI), a leading South Korean company with experience in ...
- PERAK TO COLLABORATE WITH RARE EARTH ELEMENTS COMPANY FROM SOUTH KOREA
The Perak state government is expected to establish cooperation with Star Group Industries (SGI), a leading South Korean company with experience in the production of downstream products of rare earth ...
- Moriah ore tailings pile could be rare earths source
MORIAH — Phoenix Tailings has started a pilot program to recover rare earths from the old iron ore tailings pile in Moriah.
- Increasing EV Powertrain Efficiency Without Rare-Earth Materials
Similar to Dynamic Skip Fire tech for diesel engines, Tula’s Dynamic Motor Drive intermittently operates the motor at high efficiency to deliver torque while minimizing ...