Researchers at Idaho State University are using waste as part of a project to develop long chains of molecules known as polymers that can bind themselves to rare earth minerals, making them easier to extract.
These rare earth elements (REEs) can help turn waste streams into revenue streams for a multitude of industries. REEs are a group of 17 elements used to produce a wide range of products from smartphones and consumer electronics, to wind turbines and electric vehicles.
“Global waste streams represent a massive secondary reserve of critical metals, with mine tailings along holding an estimated 93 million tons of rare earth oxides,” said Kavita Sharma, assistant professor of Biomedical Sciences at ISU…