Bacterial protein could help find materials for your next smartphone

A newly discovered protein could help detect, target and collect from the environment the rare-earth metals used in smartphones. Two new studies by researchers at Penn State describe the protein, which is 100 million times better at binding to lanthanides — the rare-earth metals used in smartphones and other technologies — than to other metals like calcium.

A structural model of the compact metal-bound form of the lanmodulin protein, which is 100 million times better at binding to lanthanides — the rare-earth metals used in smartphones and other technologies — than to other metals like calcium. IMAGE: PENN STATE
A structural model of the compact metal-bound form of the lanmodulin protein, which is 100 million times better at binding to lanthanides — the rare-earth metals used in smartphones and other technologies — than to other metals like calcium. IMAGE: PENN STATE