Overview
Research conducted by scientists at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is investigating the potential of bacterial spores for capturing rare earth elements (REE) from various metal-containing waste streams, specifically acid mine drainage. This initiative seeks to develop novel methods for obtaining critical minerals, which are identified as essential for national economic strength and national security.
Research Context
The project addresses the challenge of sourcing critical minerals. Critical minerals are defined in the source as being essential for the nation's economic strength and national security. The research specifically focuses on rare earth elements. The context highlights the need for new sourcing methods for these minerals, and the exploration of bacterial spores is positioned within this broader objective.
Approach
The scientific approach involves exploring the utility of bacterial spores. These spores are characterized as durable and customizable. The specific mechanism under investigation is their capacity to capture rare earth elements. The target sources for these REE capture efforts include acid mine drainage and other waste streams that contain metals.
Potential Applications
The project's objective directly supports the development of new methods for sourcing critical minerals. The application of bacterial spores for REE capture from waste streams could contribute to these sourcing methods. The broader impact of such methods is identified as supporting the nation's economic strength and national security by providing essential critical minerals.