Overview
- Boston College reports that Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans metabolically generates protons that leach cathode materials from spent batteries.
- Lab results show the microbe grows on iron from casings, with stainless steel performing even better as a feedstock.
- The bioleaching operated without added sulfate, indicating a route that could avoid transporting a toxic reagent.
- The team frames a potential path to self-sufficient, continuous bioreactors for metal recovery, with scalability and economics still unproven.
- Researchers are evolving strains to boost recovery efficiencies and building prototype batteries from recovered materials to test performance.