Rare Earth Binding Peptide for Selective Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recovering rare earth elements, such as those using solvent extraction and reducing microorganisms, are costly, and no peptides have been described that bind to rare earth metals like dysprosium oxide, posing challenges in efficient and selective recovery and recycling of rare earths from waste products and wastewater.
Innovation Solution
Development of peptides using random peptide libraries by phage display to identify sequences that bind to dysprosium oxide and other rare earth materials, enabling the formation of complexes for effective binding, retention, detection, and recovery of rare earths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solvent extraction or reducing microorganisms are used to recover rare earths, then rare earth recovery is achieved, but the process becomes costly and energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces peptides as intermediary binding agents that specifically recognize and bind to rare earth metal ions. These peptides act as mediators between the rare earth materials and the recovery system, enabling selective separation through biological recognition rather than costly chemical extraction processes. The peptide's amino acid sequence is specifically designed to coordinate with rare earth ions, providing a cost-effective and efficient recovery mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the recovery mechanism from chemical extraction to biological recognition. By utilizing peptides with specific amino acid compositions and structures, the system transforms the recovery process into one based on molecular recognition and binding affinity, thereby reducing both cost and energy consumption while maintaining high efficiency.
2Reliability
If conventional recovery methods are used, then rare earths can be collected, but selectivity and environmental impact are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Peptides serve as selective intermediary agents that specifically bind to rare earth metal ions through their amino acid residues. This biological mediator provides high selectivity by recognizing specific chemical properties of rare earth ions, enabling separation from other metals and reducing environmental contamination from non-selective recovery processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs peptides that can be designed as single-use or easily regenerable binding agents. These peptide-based systems replace complex, environmentally harmful extraction chemicals with biodegradable, low-toxicity peptide molecules that can be disposed of or regenerated without significant environmental impact.
3Reliability
If peptides are designed to bind to rare earth materials, then selective binding is achieved, but peptide sequence complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes peptide sequence parameters by identifying specific amino acid patterns and motifs that confer rare earth binding ability. Rather than designing complex unique sequences, the invention establishes generalizable sequence rules based on amino acid properties (such as coordination chemistry of specific residues), simplifying the design process while maintaining high binding reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The peptide design principles established in this patent create universally applicable binding sequences that can recognize multiple rare earth metal ions. The amino acid sequence motifs identified are not specific to one rare earth element but can bind to various rare earth ions, providing multi-functionality and reducing the need for highly complex, element-specific sequences.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The peptides effectively bind to rare earth materials, allowing for their selective recovery and recycling, reducing costs and environmental impact by utilizing specific peptide sequences that recognize and form complexes with dysprosium oxide and other rare earth compounds.
Implementation Method 1
the peptide includes one or more acidic amino acid residues... capable of binding to a rare earth material including a rare earth and a rare earth inorganic compound
Data Source
AI summary
A binding agent is capable of binding to rare earth materials such as rare earths and inorganic compounds thereof. A rare earth material-binding agent includes a peptide capable of binding to a rare earth material including a rare earth and a rare earth inorganic compound.