Unlocking the Secrets of Rare Earth Metals: A New Frontier in Tech and Security
Rare earth metals might not be household names, but they play a crucial role in our daily lives. Elements like neodymium, praesodymium, and cerium may not be rare in nature, yet they’re primarily found in specific global regions. The challenge lies in refining them for practical use. Their unique electric and magnetic properties make them vital for gadgets such as hard drives and headphones, and they even serve as contrast agents in MRI and CT scans. These elements can fetch tens of thousands of dollars per metric ton in the market.
In recent times, China has emerged as the leading refiner of these metals, leveraging them in trade negotiations with the United States. Nathan Ratledge, co-founder and CEO of Alta Resource Technologies, points out that the U.S. produces very little of the 330,000 to 350,000 tons of rare earths generated annually. The U.S. Department of Defense has recognized this vulnerability and is actively working to secure these essential elements.
“China can very easily weaponize this critical mineral supply,” Ratledge noted.
{Nathan Ratledge
This issue isn’t confined to defense; it affects major companies like Nvidia and Apple due to export restrictions imposed by China. While the U.S. does have a rare earth mine operating in California, its history is turbulent. However, an alternative solution might be hiding within the heaps of electronic waste generated every year.
Alta Resource Technologies has developed a groundbreaking method to extract rare earth elements from low-grade sources more efficiently than traditional toxic chemical processes. Using specially designed proteins that target rare earth elements, whether from raw ore or e-waste, Alta’s approach simplifies the extraction process.
“When things are more complex, biology tends to shine because of its selectivity,” explains Ratledge.
{Nathan Ratledge
- The proteins are bound to a resin and placed in columns where solutions with rare earths flow through.
- The proteins capture the metals, which are then released through a washing process.
- These proteins have shown remarkable durability in testing.
This innovative technique could transform the industry. Alta plans to construct a pilot-scale plant akin to a shipping container this year and expects some federal funding support for this venture.
To bolster their technology refinement and scaling efforts, Alta has raised $5.1 million in seed funding led by DCVC and Voyager Ventures with additional contributions from Orion Industrial Ventures, Overture, and WovenEarth Ventures. They’ve also received around $1 million in grants from DARPA and Colorado state.
“To de-risk some of the core national security concerns, you don’t need hundreds of thousands of tons. You’re talking single-digit-thousands of tons,” said Ratledge optimistically about meeting U.S. government needs.
{Nathan Ratledge
While shifting rare earth refining back to the U.S. won’t happen overnight, Alta’s efforts mark a promising step towards reducing dependency on foreign sources and securing essential materials for national security.
