CHEE Seminar: David W. Reed
Monday, February 5, 2024 – 10:00 a.m.
David W. Reed, PhD
Senior Scientist
Idaho National Laboratory
“Sustainable Biorecovery of Minerals Critical for Modern Technology and Green Energy Development”
Cesar Chavez Building, Room 400
ABSTRACT
The United States is highly dependent on foreign markets for supply of ‘critical minerals’ essential for modern communication, transportation, and electronic and renewable energy technologies. New greener technology options are needed to promote domestic critical mineral production and decrease supply chain risks. Microorganisms can assist in profitable and environmentally friendly recovery of valuable metals such as the rare earth elements critical for permanent magnets (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb) and metals important for lithium-ion batteries (e.g., Li, Co, Ni, Mn). Bioleaching is a sustainable process that relies on the ability of microbes to produce acids to solubilize and release elements from a solid matrix. We have demonstrated recovery of critical minerals from spent recyclable wastes using the organic acid producing bacterium Gluconobacter oxydans. Theoretical modeling and empirical testing have been conducted to identify optimal growth and bioleaching conditions. Techno-economic and life cycle analyses have been conducted to evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of this process and to guide improved process performance. Our analyses indicate that using agriculture waste instead of glucose as the feed substrate for organic acid production by G. oxydans would improve leaching profitability. Development of downstream separation approaches for the leached critical minerals is ongoing. Demonstration of effective bioleaching and metal separation can help enable and sustain domestic critical mineral supply chains.
BIOSKETCH
David W. Reed, PhD, is a senior scientist at Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL). Dr. Reed obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Brigham Young University and a PhD in microbiology, molecular biology, and biochemistry from the University of Idaho. He is experienced in the development and characterization of extremophilic microorganisms and enzymes for industrially relevant processes. He has served as principal investigator on multiple projects including more recently the development of biological processes for recovery of minerals critical for modern technology and green energy. He has mentored over 35 post doc, graduate and undergraduate students who have gone on to successful STEM careers. He has authored numerous publications, patents, and reports and received the INL Lifetime Achievement award for inventorship.