Eggshells have been identified as a potential eco-friendly material for extracting rare earth elements necessary for green energy technologies.
The researchers, from Trinity College Dublin’s School of Natural Sciences, and iCRAG, the Science Foundation Ireland research centre in applied geosciences, published their ground-breaking findings on June 4 in the international journalREEs, which are essential for the technologies used in electric cars and wind turbines, for example, are in increasing demand but in relatively short supply.
Composite image using high-resolution microscopy and spectroscopy showing the absorption and replacement processes of rare earth elements in the eggshell. Credit: Prof. Juan Diego Rodriguez-Blanco, Trinity College DublinThe researchers placed eggshells in solutions containing REEs at various temperatures from a pleasant 25 °C to a scorching 205 °C, and for different time periods of up to three months.
Lead author Dr. Remi Rateau commented on the significance of the research, stating, “This study presents a potential innovative use of waste material that not only offers a sustainable solution to the problem of rare earth element recovery but also aligns with the principles of circular economy and waste valorization.”
Technology Technology Latest News, Technology Technology Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: futurism - 🏆 85. / 68 Read more »