TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Maximizing rare earth element separation with Lanmodulin protein using a novel desorption technology

Opportunity:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its Maximizing rare earth element separation with Lanmodulin protein using a novel desorption technology.

Background:

The 17 REEs consist of the lanthanide group (lanthanum to lutetium in the periodic table), as well as scandium and yttrium. REEs are critical components of many advanced technologies such as magnets, batteries, electronics and catalysts. More importantly, they are also critical for various defense technologies. For instance, they are used in satellites, aircraft, missile guidance systems, batteries & sensors. The worldwide demand for REEs is increasing at a rapid pace. The global supply chain issues compound the problem. China accounts for about 61% of the global supply and 36% of global reserve. The US imports >80% of its REE from offshore suppliers (mainly from China). This has become a national security issue; US supply chain is vulnerable to geopolitical changes and restrictions.

The physicochemical similarities of the REEs cause them to co-localize in geological deposits and complicate their separation from each other. Currently, the separation of REEs from their ores and their purification is industrially achieved by solvent extraction and chromatography. While these processes generate REE purities higher than 99%; the reagents, equipment, and energy required to operate these REE separation plants pose technical, economical, and environmental challenges. Current methods are technically complex, time-consuming, expensive and damage the environment. The advent of synthetic biology and modern biotechnology provides alternatives to these processes using biomolecules, particularly proteins. For instance, Lanmodulin (LanM) is a protein that has been shown to have exquisite selectivity for REEs (108-fold) over other (non-REE) elements. There is also an unmet need for a technology for intra-REE separation. Such a technology is critically important for advancing protein-based metal separation and purification technologies.

Description:

LLNL inventors developed a proprietary desorption technology that enabled separation of a near-adjacent panel of REEs, marking the best separation performance demonstrated to date with LanM. For example, using an equimolar mixture of Sm-Gd-Dy-Y, 87% of the feed was separated into individual rare earth elements of 96% purity or greater in a single adsorption-desorption cycle. Following yield-purity combinations were achieved: Y at 98.3% purity (96.8% yield), Dy at 98.6% purity (76.1% yield), Gd at 98.8% purity (80.1% yield), and Sm at 99.6% purity (94.5% yield).

Advantages/Benefits: 

• Efficient intra-REE separation that is fast and cost-effective
• Does not degrade the capacity of the LanM column
• Potential for significant separation in a single adsorption-desorption cycle rendering secondary separation steps unnecessary
• Integration into the existing separation platform of protein-based separation

Potential Applications: 

Efficient intra-lanthanide separation of REEs

Development Status: 

Current stage of technology development: TRL ☐ 0-2     ☒ 3-5     ☐ 5-9

LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention.

LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. 

Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Note:  THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT.  Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Maximizing rare earth element separation with Lanmodulin protein using a novel desorption technology should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1. Company Name and address.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.
3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Maximizing rare earth element separation with Lanmodulin protein using a novel desorption technology.

The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Innovation and Partnerships Office

P.O. Box 808, L-779

Livermore, CA  94551-0808

Attention: 2025-123