New Sensor Able To Detect Rare Earths In Acid M... May 2026

: When the protein binds to a specific element like terbium , it glows green under UV light.

: It works in highly acidic environments and is as accurate as the "gold standard" laboratory mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), but is potentially portable and far cheaper. Impact: Turning Waste Into Wealth New sensor able to detect rare earths in acid m...

: The sensor uses a protein called lanmodulin , which is nearly a billion times better at binding to rare earths than other metals. : When the protein binds to a specific