PseudoDave

PseudoDave t1_jaj2ofh wrote

Reply to comment by superflippy in German scientists show a commercially feasible method for cyanobacteria to extract 17 rare earth elements from low-concentration sources. Currently, most of the world's supply of these elements is mined in China. by lughnasadh

Not sure why downvoted. They have been at it for quite a while, with better results. https://www.llnl.gov/news/llnl-researchers-turn-bioengineered-bacteria-increase-us-supply-rare-earth-metals

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PseudoDave t1_jaj29zq wrote

Reply to comment by LummoxJR in German scientists show a commercially feasible method for cyanobacteria to extract 17 rare earth elements from low-concentration sources. Currently, most of the world's supply of these elements is mined in China. by lughnasadh

As the concentration is low. You need flow through and not batch, then need to release the water again. So you would have to change the pH on a fast flow through, capture, release, then recorrect pH for release after. There is proteins that work well at low pH for selective REE capture, LanM as an example.

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PseudoDave t1_jaht78f wrote

Reply to German scientists show a commercially feasible method for cyanobacteria to extract 17 rare earth elements from low-concentration sources. Currently, most of the world's supply of these elements is mined in China. by lughnasadh

Interesting until you realize that most REE containing water sources which are viable are pH 3 and lower. So this method wouldnt work in vast majority of situations. There is tons of research on this and a very large DoD effort in this area far more economically viable than this currently. Cool work otherwise though...

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