Ultra-selective biomaterial-enhanced biogeochemical remediation of selenium
A novel in-situ groundwater remediation platform that uses engineered ultra-selective biomaterials to enhance biogeochemical processes for selenium removal without mobilizing arsenic, effectively reducing contaminants below regulatory levels.
Overview
The ultra-selective biomaterial-enhanced biogeochemical remediation platform offers an innovative solution for in-situ groundwater treatment. It integrates engineered biomaterials with established biogeochemical processes to enhance selenium removal while avoiding arsenic mobilization. This technology leverages proprietary protein engineering to design biomaterials that selectively bind to selenium contaminants in groundwater, ensuring effective remediation below regulatory thresholds without the need for groundwater extraction. The hybrid system manages both selenate and selenite and mitigates risks associated with arsenic, making it a robust solution for contaminated sites.
Technical specifications
- Programmable biomaterials: Utilizes engineered proteins for molecular-level recognition and selective interaction with selenium, minimizing interference from common ions like sulfate and calcium.
- Subsurface compatibility: Designed to function within natural attenuation systems, these biomaterials enhance selenium capture and control geochemical processes.
- In-situ operation: The system operates entirely within the subsurface, avoiding the need for groundwater extraction, and is suitable for use in reactive treatment zones or permeable barriers.
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at TRL 2, indicating that the concept has been formulated and initial studies have begun. The next steps include laboratory evaluations and pilot-scale field deployments to validate performance and refine the biomaterials for specific site conditions.
About Magmatic Bio
Magmatic Bio is a synthetic biology company that develops engineered, custom synthetic proteins designed to bind and selectively extract specific metals from complex industrial mixtures with atomic precision. The company's platform utilizes AI-powered bioengineering to create these metal-binding reagents, which are derived from the biological mechanisms of extremophile microorganisms. By focusing on molecular selectivity rather than conventional chemical solvent extraction, the technology aims to provide a more efficient, sustainable, and scalable method for refining critical minerals like lithium, manganese, nickel, and cobalt from various feedstocks, including ores and end-of-life recycling streams.
This technology addresses critical supply chain challenges for industries such as AI, quantum computing, and battery manufacturing by offering a cleaner, lower-impact alternative to traditional, energy-intensive, and infrastructure-heavy mining and refining processes. By minimizing biomass requirements and reducing the need for harsh chemical reagents, Magmatic’s approach supports the transition to a circular economy for critical metals. The company, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, works to improve industrial resource access, aiming to enhance the purity and recovery rates of battery-grade materials while significantly reducing environmental impact and operational costs for its partners and customers in the mining and resource recycling sectors.
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