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A D V A N C E D

M A T E R I A L S

&

P R O C E S S E S |

S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 6

1 3

Savannah Bachman explores potential retrieval of rare earth elements fromwater

used in oil and gas production.

RECOVERING RARE EARTHS

FROM INDUSTRIAL WATER

Researchers from the University

of Wyoming (UW), Idaho National Lab-

oratory (INL), and the U.S. Geological

Survey (USGS) are investigating wheth-

er rare earth elements can be recov-

ered from the high-temperature fluid

byproducts associated with energy

extraction. In recent years, demand for

rare earths has increased—and so has

their cost—stimulating interest in new

recovery methods. The UW-INL-USGS

collaboration is one of four groups to

receive $4 million from the U.S. DOE to

determine the feasibility of obtaining

these critical materials from the by-

products of oil and gas production and

geothermal projects.

English ivy secretes one of the most

powerful glues found in nature.

The team aims to develop a data-

base of rare earth elements and trace

metals from oil and gas-produced wa-

ters from some of the nation’s most

prolific hydrocarbon basins, identify

similar oil and gas reservoirs, and cre-

ate a mathematical screening tool to

test national geochemical databases.

UW researchers recently demonstrated

an accurate method to measure rare

earth concentrations in highly saline

fluids, paving the way for the current

research.

uwyo.edu, inl.gov, usgs.gov.

BIOADHESIVE PROCESS

REVEALED

Researchers at The Ohio State Uni-

versity, Columbus, discovered the mech-

anism at work behind one of the stron-

gest adhesives in nature—glue used by

English ivy to cling to walls and trees,

which is powerful enough to withstand

a hurricane. Examining this glue with

an atomic force microscope revealed

previously

unknown

nanoparticles,

which are composed primarily of arab-

inogalactan proteins. “When climbing,

ivy secretes these tiny nanoparticles that

make initial surface contact,” explains

Mingjun Zhang, professor of biomedical

engineering. “Due to their high uniformi-

ty and low viscosity, they can attach to

large areas on various surfaces.”

Investigating further, Zhang and

his team found that the driving force be-

hind the glue’s curing process is a calci-

um-mediated interaction between these

proteins and pectin in the gelatinous liq-

uid that oozes from the ivy as it climbs,

finding its way into openings invisible to

the naked eye. After the moisture evap-

orates, a chemical bond forms. To con-

firm their discovery, scientists used the

nanoparticles to reconstruct a simple

glue that mimics ivy adhesive.

Understanding the proteins that

give the glue its strength could lead to

new adhesives for medical and indus-

try products, according to Zhang, who

foresees bioadhesives that could aid in

wound healing. Others, notably the U.S.

military, are interested in surface-coat-

ing applications that could strengthen

armor systems.

osu.edu.

L&S Machine Co. LLC,

Latrobe,

Pa., received ISO 9001:2008 and

AS9100C accreditation for the

manufacture and fabrication of

build

to

print metal and phenolic

parts. The certifications apply to

the company’s precision machin-

ing, welding, waterjet cutting, and

electrical discharge machining as

well as prototyping and inspection

services.

lsmachineco.com.

BRIEFS

Houghton International Inc.,

Norris-

town, Pa., acquired the metalworking

fluid and industrial lubricant manufac-

turer

Wallover Enterprises,

Strongsville, Ohio. Wallover supplies indus-

trial markets throughout the U.S. and Canada and provides technical

expertise in electrical discharge machining fluids and cold rolling oils for

stainless steel.

houghtonintl.com.

PROCESS TECHNOLOGY