(103g) Microscale Extraction of Rare Earth Elements Using Biosorption and Dielectrophoresis

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of chemically similar elements used in catalytic converters, aircraft engines, hi-tech products, and many other applications for which there is no equal substitute. Despite their name, most are abundant in nature but are challenging to extract. Various methods including salmon milt, fractional step, ion exchange and solvent extraction have been utilized in extracting REEs from the crust but the economics of the processes is burdensome. Apart from the economic considerations, other setbacks such as the disruption of the ecosystem, environmental degradation also call for an alternative extraction methodology. In this work, we present an alternative, cost-effective and environmentally friendly method of extracting REEs from the crust. The method is a synergy of biosorption and dielectrophoresis: Gram-negative bacteria-Cupriavidus necator is grown and used to extract the REEs and dielectrophoresis with subsequent cellular digestion is used to recover the REEs.