How a Startup Uses Bacteria to Mine E-Waste for Rare Earths

Episode 40 dives into a Colorado-based startup that deploys engineered bacteria to leach rare earth elements from discarded electronics. Hosts Lucas and Luna unpack the chemistry: how the microbes bind to neodymium and dysprosium, why the process consumes 80% less energy than traditional smelting, and what it means for the $57 billion e-waste problem. They explore the startup's pilot facility in Denver, the role of synthetic biology in critical mineral supply chains, and the economics of 'bio-mining' versus conventional recycling. A concrete look at one company trying to turn the mountain of old phones and wind turbine magnets into a domestic source of metals the US currently imports almost entirely from China. #RareEarths #EMining #Ewaste #SyntheticBiology #CriticalMinerals #ClimateTech #Bacteria #Neodymium #Dysprosium #CircularEconomy #SupplyChain #Denver #Startup #Decarbonization #Business #Technology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo