Scientists discover microbe that can recycle your old batteries; Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw calls it new breakthrough

Researchers at Boston College have identified a remarkable bacterium capable of breaking down used batteries, offering a self-sustaining method for recycling, according to a report by Interesting Engineering citing a journal published in ACS Sustainable Resource Management. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (Atf) thrives in extremely acidic conditions and can digest substances found in discarded batteries, which can help lower both waste and energy consumption. These findings were shared by the chemistry team at Boston College on Wednesday. “This is a critical step forward in exploring the possibility of growing the bacteria using material already found in used batteries as a food source,” said Professor of Chemistry Dunwei Wang, according to Interesting Engineering. Working with associate professor of biology Babak Momeni, Wang determined whether Atf could survive on the iron found in used batteries and efficiently extract cathode material. Momeni was responsible for growing the bacteria, while Wang used the cultures to leach battery cathodes. Additional members of the research team included research associate Wei Li, graduate student Brooke Elander, and undergraduates Mengyun Jiang and Mikayla Fahrenbruch. Here’s how the research went The researchers aimed to replace conventional power sources with materials already found in batteries, such as iron. Their experiments showed that Atf can grow without sulfate, a commonly used but toxic additive in bacterial growth media. “Our results indicate that the activity of the bacteria does not depend on the presence of sulfate,” Wang said. “This is an important finding because it indicates that for future implementation one can do away with the need to transport large quantities of one toxic material.” Stainless steel outperformed pure iron The team discovered that stainless steel, a material commonly used in real batteries, performed even better than pure iron. “The finding that stainless steel works better than pure iron was indeed a surprise,” he added, as reported by Interested Engineering. “That’s because stainless steel is a complex mixture. We didn’t expect it to work so well. But it’s a notable, unexpected development since stainless steel is more common in real batteries.” India’s e-waste India is the third largest generator of e-waste after China and the United States. However, government figures suggest that only 43% of the country’s e-waste was recycled last year. In addition, at least 80% of the sector is dominated by informal scrap dealers, whose practices can be hazardous to both the environment and human health. To address these challenges, New Delhi in September set a floor price that electronics manufacturers must pay recyclers. This measure aims to formalize the recycling sector and encourage greater investment in proper e-waste management, according to a report by Reuters. Our results indicate that the activity of the bacteria does not depend on the presence of sulfate. Research firm Redseer said in February that India’s recycling rates are still low compared to the US, where it is up to five times higher, and China, where it is at least 1.5 times higher. (With input from agencies, Interested Engineering)