Exploring Macroalgae as Critical Mineral Crops, E=(MC)2

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Program:
Exploratory Topics
Award:
$1,484,990
Location:
Richland, Washington
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
05/01/2024 - 06/13/2026
Website:

Technology Description:

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is studying methods to efficiently extract rare earth elements and platinum group metals from “biological ore”: hyper-accumulating species of marine macroalgae. Extraction methods will also re-utilize chemical extractants and retain the value of the algae for other purposes such as biofuels and other industrial feedstocks, resulting in minimal tailings. New instrumentation capability at PNNL will allow for greater resolution analysis of the biological variability of minerals and metals, and the team will develop—among other advancements—adsorbents for extracting metals using specialized metal organic framework molecules that reversibly bind to rare earths in solution.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Simon Freeman
Project Contact:
Dr. Michael Huesemann
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
michael.huesemann@pnnl.gov

Partners

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

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