Recycling International reports that a naturally occurring protein has been found to have the power to extract and purify rare earth elements from complex metal mixtures. A consortium says lanmodulin is the magic ingredient behind a new one-step recycling process.
The researchers believe lanmodulin provides an alternative to chemical processes in the recovery of rare earths from electronic scrap and pre-combustion coal. The solution does no harm to the environment, according to scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) who are partners with Pennsylvania State University and Idaho National Laboratory.
News link: Protein process may transform rare earths recovery