United States – In order to recycle valuable materials in the millions of tons of electronic waste produced annually in the United States, researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Momentum Technologies have piloted an industrial-scale process.
Rare earth elements, also known as REEs, are strategic resources with a high demand for advanced clean energy and defense technologies but a low supply. Domestic pathways for securing supply chains are needed.
Critical stage
Membrane solvent extraction has been used before by researchers to recycle used permanent magnets in consumer electronics. The technology has now reached a crucial stage in its deployment. According to a report published in Advanced Engineering Materials, the system has been scaled up to achieve high-purity separations.
“We’re working with partners toward commercialization and exploring applications to recycle REEs used in growing technology areas, such as wind power and electric vehicles,” said ORNL’s Syed Islam.
