Able To Detect Rare Earths In Acid M... — New Sensor

In 2021, researchers at Penn State University developed a game-changing luminescent sensor:

: When the protein binds to a specific element like terbium , it glows green under UV light. New sensor able to detect rare earths in acid m...

By identifying high-concentration sites with these sensors, companies can focus their extraction efforts where they are most profitable. In 2021, researchers at Penn State University developed

: It works in highly acidic environments and is as accurate as the "gold standard" laboratory mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), but is potentially portable and far cheaper. Impact: Turning Waste Into Wealth Impact: Turning Waste Into Wealth : The sensor

: The sensor uses a protein called lanmodulin , which is nearly a billion times better at binding to rare earths than other metals.

The biggest hurdle was finding these elements. Rare earths are often present in tiny concentrations—parts per billion—making them a "needle in a haystack" to detect without expensive, bulky lab equipment.