Bacterium may help process mining ore.
Now, Joseph Cotruvo Jr. at Pennsylvania State University and his colleagues have found that the bacterium Hansschlegelia quercus contains a protein that can help differentiate between lighter and heavier types of rare earth elements. Chemistry A BACTERIAL protein found in English oak buds could be u...
| Published in: | New Scientist Vol. 258; no. 3442; p. 19 |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
New Scientist Ltd.
6/10/2023
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| Summary: | Now, Joseph Cotruvo Jr. at Pennsylvania State University and his colleagues have found that the bacterium Hansschlegelia quercus contains a protein that can help differentiate between lighter and heavier types of rare earth elements. Chemistry A BACTERIAL protein found in English oak buds could be used to more efficiently process the rare earth elements needed in items such as wind turbines and screens for smartphones and TVs. The team used this protein to help separate out neodymium and dysprosium - light and heavy rare earth elements respectively that are used in permanent magnets - in a single chemical step at room temperature without relying on toxic chemicals (Nature, doi.org/kcxb). |
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