2019-01, Işıldar, Arda, Lenz, Markus, Du Laing, Gijs, Cesaro, Alessandra, Marra, Alessandra, Panda, Sandeep, Akcil, Ata, Kucuker, Mehmet Ali, Kuchta, Kerstin, van Hullebusch, Eric D.

Critical raw materials (CRMs) are essential in the development of novel high-tech applications. They are essential in sustainable materials and green technologies, including renewable energy, emissionfree electric vehicles and energy-efficient lighting. However, the sustainable supply of CRMs is a major concern. Recycling end-of-life devices is an integral element of the CRMs supply policy of many countries. Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is an important secondary source of CRMs. Currently, pyrometallurgical processes are used to recycle metals from WEEE. These processes are deemed imperfect, energy-intensive and non-selective towards CRMs. Biotechnologies are a promising alternative to the current industrial best available technologies (BAT). In this review, we present the current frontiers in CRMs recovery from WEEE using biotechnology, the biochemical fundamentals of these bio-based technologies and discuss recent research and development (R&D) activities. These technologies encompass biologically induced leaching (bioleaching) from various matrices,biomass-induced sorption (biosorption), and bioelectrochemical systems (BES).

2017, Jain, Rohan, van Hullebusch, Eric D., Lenz, Markus, Farges, François, van Hullebusch, Eric D.

Selenium is used extensively in many industries, and it is necessary for human nutrition. On the other hand, it is also toxic at slightly elevated concentrations. With the advent of industrialisation, selenium concentrations in the environment due to anthropogenic activities have increased. Treatment of selenium-laden wastewaters and bioremediation are of increasing importance for counteracting contamination. Developing an effective treatment process requires the identification of all the selenium chemical species and their concentrations in engineered settings. This chapter collates the available techniques for identifying and quantifying various selenium species in gas, liquid, and solid phases, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and liquid/gas chromatography. This chapter also throws light on isotopic fractionation and sequential extraction methods used to study the behaviour of selenium. Prior to the discussion of analytical methods, this chapter discusses selenium mineralogy and biochemistry. Finally, the chapter concludes by discussing potential future analytical techniques that will further improve our understanding of selenium biogeochemistry in engineered bioprocesses.

2016-09-16, van Hullebusch, Eric D., Guibaud, Gilles, Simon, Stéphane, Lenz, Markus, Yekta, Sepehr Shakeri, Fermoso, Fernando G., Jain, Rohan, Duester, Lars, Roussel, Jimmy, Guillon, Emmanuel, Skyllberg, Ulf, Almeida, C. Marisa R., Pechaud, Yoan, Garuti, Mirco, Frunzo, Luigi, Esposito, Giovanni, Carliell-Marquet, Cynthia, Ortner, Markus, Collins, Gavin