University of Nanjing Breakthrough- Team Identifies Rare Earth Elements Using Nanopores

Highlights

• Researchers engineered a biological nanopore with dual ligands to create unique electrical signals for identifying rare earth elements.
• Machine learning algorithms enabled highly accurate identification of all 16 rare earth elements through distinctive electrical signal patterns.
• The innovative nanopore approach shows potential for revolutionizing geological exploration and rare earth mining processes.

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Rare earth elements (REEs) are vital materials used in technology, from smartphones to renewable energy solutions. However, because these elements share very similar chemical properties, separating and identifying them has been a major challenge. A new study published in Nature Nanotechnology presents a novel way to differentiate all 16 naturally occurring REEs using a specially engineered nanopore.

The Breakthrough?

Researchers modified a biological nanopore—a tiny hole in a protein that allows molecules to pass through—by attaching a ligand (a chemical group that binds to metal ions) inside the pore. They introduced a second ligand to further improve accuracy, creating a dual-ligand sensing strategy. This setup allowed them to detect how different REEs interact with the nanopore, producing unique electrical signals.

Shuo Huang at Nanjing University and colleagues in Mainland China report in Nature Nanotechnology (opens in a new tab) that each REE caused a distinctive pattern of temporary blockages in the nanopore, allowing the system to distinguish between them.

One particularly exciting finding was that the recorded signals followed a periodic trend, reflecting the well-known “lanthanide contraction” effect. This effect refers to the gradual decrease in the size of lanthanide atoms as one moves across the periodic table.

By leveraging machine learning algorithms, the researchers accurately identified all 16 REEs.

Beyond laboratory applications, the study demonstrated that this nanopore-based detection method could be used to analyze real-world mineral samples, such as bastnaesite, a common REE-containing ore. This suggests that the technology could significantly impact geological exploration and rare earth mining, making it easier and more cost-effective to identify valuable elements in rock samples.

In short, this innovative nanopore approach provides a fast, accurate, and scalable method for distinguishing rare earth elements—potentially revolutionizing how we detect and extract these crucial resources.