26 Aug 2024

Bacteria Revolutionize Recycling of Rare Metals for Green Tech

At the University of Edinburgh, researchers are using bacteria to extract vital rare metals from old batteries and electronic waste. This groundbreaking method aims to promote the development of sustainable technologies, such as electric cars and solar panels, and addresses the urgent need for a circular economy given the limited global resources.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh are using bacteria to extract rare metals like lithium, cobalt, and manganese from old batteries and electronic waste. These metals are crucial for green technologies such as electric cars and solar panels. Professor Louise Horsfall emphasizes the need for a circular economy to reuse these scarce resources, as global supplies are limited and heavily controlled by countries like China.

The team has successfully used naturally occurring bacteria to extract metals and plans to enhance this process with gene-edited strains. The goal is to recycle these metals into new batteries and devices, supporting sustainable technology development. New legislation will soon require significant use of recycled metals in manufacturing, making this research vital for future green tech advancements.

Click here to read more about how bacteria is helping to extract rare metals from old batteries!