> Cornell University scientists have engineered a metal-eating microbe capable of extracting rare earth elements and capturing carbon dioxide, offering a revolutionary **solution to both resource scarcity and climate change.**
> Their innovative approach bypasses the need for harsh chemicals and high energy, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional mining and carbon capture methods. At the core of this advancement is **Gluconobacter oxydans**, a microbe reprogrammed to perform these dual roles efficiently. This breakthrough not only promises to transform the mining industry but also presents a potent tool in combating climate change by accelerating carbon capture.
> By genetically enhancing this microbe, researchers have **increased its acid production, enabling it to effectively break down rocks to extract rare earth elements.** Remarkably, this process has boosted extraction efficiency by 73 percent without the environmental drawbacks associated with traditional mining.
> Furthermore, the microbe’s ability to accelerate natural carbon capture by 58 times showcases its dual utility. **By fostering reactions** between magnesium, iron, and calcium with carbon dioxide, it forms stable minerals, **trapping the CO₂ permanently.** This method turns the earth into a natural carbon sink, effectively reducing atmospheric carbon levels.
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> Cornell University scientists have engineered a metal-eating microbe capable of extracting rare earth elements and capturing carbon dioxide, offering a revolutionary **solution to both resource scarcity and climate change.**
> Their innovative approach bypasses the need for harsh chemicals and high energy, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional mining and carbon capture methods. At the core of this advancement is **Gluconobacter oxydans**, a microbe reprogrammed to perform these dual roles efficiently. This breakthrough not only promises to transform the mining industry but also presents a potent tool in combating climate change by accelerating carbon capture.
> By genetically enhancing this microbe, researchers have **increased its acid production, enabling it to effectively break down rocks to extract rare earth elements.** Remarkably, this process has boosted extraction efficiency by 73 percent without the environmental drawbacks associated with traditional mining.
> Furthermore, the microbe’s ability to accelerate natural carbon capture by 58 times showcases its dual utility. **By fostering reactions** between magnesium, iron, and calcium with carbon dioxide, it forms stable minerals, **trapping the CO₂ permanently.** This method turns the earth into a natural carbon sink, effectively reducing atmospheric carbon levels.