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January 2021 / 27 nisms behind the microbes' ability to leech out the metals. The biggest hurdle would be the scale of the extraction because the microbes would need a lot of sugar to extract a meaningful amount of metal, and nutrients to support cell growth are limited in space. The study "Space Station Bio- mining Experiment Demonstrates Rare Earth Element Extraction in Microgravity and Mars Gravity" was published in Nature Commu- nications. The study and research efforts were supported by many organizations and governmental entities with credits available at https://tinyurl.com/ISSMicrobe. equipment, and other technology that requires these scarce materials. The ISS experiments had astro- nauts add the bacterium and basalt in miniature reactors under microgravity conditions and in incubators with centrifuges capable of simulating gravity on Mars and Earth. Basalt was chosen because it has a high concentration of rare- earth metals and is similar to rock found on the moon and Mars. The experiment's lead researcher, Charles Cockell, had been con- cerned that without liquid, the microbes wouldn't be as effective, but after 3 weeks the bugs seemed to do just as well under the grav- ity conditions set. The bacterium excretes polysaccharides that bind to metals, particularly rare earths. Cockell and his colleagues are still trying to understand the mecha- RESEARCH NOTES ISS experiment demonstrates rare-earth metal extraction using microbes Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) have been using microbes in an incubator to extract rare-earth elements from rocks. Experiments being conducted in space using the bacterium Sphin- gomonas desiccabilis show that the microbe can ef ciently extract 14 different rare-earth elements from basalt under microgravity condi- tions that are similar to those on the moon and Mars. A new study indi- cates that the microbe could help with mining in space. In essence, if settlements are made on the moon or Mars, this microbe could allow for rare earths to be collected and used to build rovers, electronic When it comes down to it, quality is king. That's why all of our work centers have documented quality procedures to ensure the highest quality product. Committed to Quality INDUSTRIAL CONVEYORS 800-325-6377 www.rapat.com Keep Your Product Flowing 1.800.233.7109 | 763.574.1820 solimar@solimarpne.com | www.solimarpneumatics.com We Move a World of Dry Bulk Materials. Silo Fluidizer Pneumatic Knocker Hi-temp, metal detectable and food compatible models available. Fast unloading with no material left behind. Sticky and compacted material is loosened by the impact of the Knocker piston with adjustable force provided by variable air pressure. Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing Product Flowing SIMPLE DESIGN. EXCELLENT DURABILITY. EASY INSTALLATION.