Summary:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering have developed structured spyropyran chelators that utilize light to selectively separate rare earth elements, offering an efficient approach to element recovery.
Background:
Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential materials that power modern technologies, from smartphones and electric vehicles to wind turbines and advanced electronics. Despite their importance and relative abundance, REEs are notoriously difficult to isolate due to their similar chemical properties and their presence in complex mineral matrices. Existing extraction and separation processes rely on harsh solvents, energy-intensive operations, large quantities of water, and large volumes of waste-generating chemicals—creating environmental and economic challenges. There is a critical need for next-generation separation methods that are not only more selective and efficient, but also cleaner and more sustainable.
Innovation:
To overcome these limitations, researchers at UCLA have developed a groundbreaking class of structured spiropyran chelators that enable light-controlled, reversible, and highly selective transfer of rare earth metals between phases. This represents the first synthesis of such compounds capable of modulating metal binding through light stimulation. By using light as a clean, tunable control mechanism, the technology eliminates the need for harsh reagents and allows for precise, repeatable separation cycles.
The structured ligands demonstrate remarkable selectivity, achieving Yb/La and Yb/Gd separation factors of 4.1 and 3.5, respectively—significantly improving upon current methods. This reversible, photo-responsive system offers a sustainable and efficient approach to REE purification, with strong potential to transform rare earth recovery for electronics, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing industries. By integrating molecular precision with light-driven control, this platform opens a new paradigm for smart, sustainable materials processing and resource recovery.
Potential Applications:
- Mining and Processing
- E-waste Recycling
- Purification
- Energy-efficient Separation
Advantages:
- Enhanced ligand selectivity
- Targeted extraction of high-value metals
- Chelation and release on demand
- Sustainability
- Efficiency
- Reduced waste
Development-To-Date:
First description of complete invention completed August 2025.
Related Papers:
Grorud, A., Vibbert, H.B., Park, A.H., Moment, A. (2024, October). 285c - Sustainable Extraction and Recovery of Energy-Relevant Metals Using Aldoxime-Based Ligand Systems from Unconventional Resources . In 2024 AIChE Annual Meeting (Paper No. 692667). AIChE. Retrieved from https://aiche.confex.com/aiche/2024/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/692667
Reference:
UCLA Case No. 2026-047