Harnessing a new protein for enhanced REE separation

a line graph represents new lanmodulin protein enables high-purity separation of Nd/Dy. A solution comprising a 5:95 mixture of Dy:Nd (pH 5) was subjected to a coupled adsorption/desorption cycle with immobilized protein. 
A new lanmodulin protein enables high-purity separation of Nd/Dy. A solution comprising a 5:95 mixture of Dy:Nd (pH 5) was subjected to a coupled adsorption/desorption cycle with immobilized protein. 

CMI researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Pennsylvania State University conducted the research for this highlight.

Innovation
Newly discovered lanmodulin (LanM) variant enables single-stage separation of Nd/Dy.

Achievement
5:95 mixture of Dy:Nd separated into high purity Dy (>98%) and Nd (99.9%) fractions using a single column stage with immobilized LanM.

Significance and Impact

  • Distinct metal coordination strategy results in 30-fold tighter binding to Nd compared to Dy.
  • Significantly outperforms M. extorquens LanM, which only achieved 50% purity Dy in the first separation stage.

Hub Target Addressed 
Sustainable method for REE recycling from end-of-life consumer products.

Mattocks et al. 2023. Nature. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-05945-5.