Fern Found Forming Rare Earth Element Crystals
A fern species accumulates rare earth elements, potentially offering a sustainable mining method.
Why it matters
- Rare earth elements are vital for tech and green energy.
- Current extraction methods are harmful and costly.
- This fern could provide a sustainable alternative.
By the numbers
- 17 rare earth elements are crucial for various technologies.
The big picture
- Phytomining could be a sustainable method for extracting rare earth elements.
- This discovery opens new possibilities for direct recovery of functional REE materials.
What they're saying
- Some skepticism about the feasibility and scale of this method.
- Clarification that the fern accumulates, not forms, elements.
Caveats
- Further research needed to confirm if other plants can do this.
- Challenges remain in efficient extraction of REEs from the plant.
What’s next
- Develop methods to extract and process the REEs from the plant.
- Explore if other plants can also accumulate REEs.