Chalmers University of Technology researchers have developed an environmentally friendly method for recycling and purifying metals. Using gold earrings from a pawnshop in Gothenburg and biodiesel from the nearest filling station, the discovery could change an industry that is currently dependent on large amounts of fossil oil. The scientific article ‘Sustainable solvent extraction of gold […]

Cornell University scientists have characterized the genome of a metal-loving bacteria with an affinity for rare earth elements. The research paves the way towards replacing the harsh chemical processing of these elements with a benign practice called biosorption. Rare earth elements are critical materials in electric cars, wind turbines and smartphones. Today, retrieving these metals […]

Penn State scientists have discovered a new mechanism by which bacteria can select between different rare earth elements. That is using the ability of a bacterial protein to bind to another unit of itself, or ‘dimerize,’ when it is bound to certain rare earths, but prefer to remain a single unit, or ‘monomer,’ when bound […]

University of Cambridge researchers have discovered a potential new method for making high-performance magnets. They could be used in wind turbines and electric cars without the need for rare earth elements. The rare earth elements are almost exclusively sourced in China. The team from the University of Cambridge, working with colleagues from Austria, found a […]

Open Image…Save ImageOpen Image (using #TmpD/ia)… Coming up with the minerals for producing and using energy and fuels will require a wide range of critical metals. One of these rare earth elements, tellurium for example, is gaining in popularity for use in photovoltaics, or solar panels. As global demand for solar panels continues to increase, so is the need for […]

keep looking »
css.php