University of Missouri (Mizzou) researchers have highlighted a groundbreaking research effort to transform waste from abandoned Missouri mining sites into a domestic source of critical materials, namely, rare-earth elements. With $2.8M in federal funding, Mizzou engineers are pioneering AI-enhanced polymer technology to recover critical materials from legacy mine sites - reducing US reliance on foreign supply.
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The researchers are tackling two challenges at once: securing a domestic supply of rare earth elements (REEs) and cleaning up the environmental legacy of old mining operations. Supported by a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the project could help transform Missouri into a national hub for critical materials essential to modern technology. Led by Dr. Baolin Deng, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and co-director of the Missouri Water Center, the initiative focuses on extracting valuable rare earth elements from wastewater and retention ponds at abandoned mining sites across the state.
Why Rare Earth Elements Matter - and Why the US Is Vulnerable
Rare earth elements are vital to everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to military systems and renewable energy technologies. While not geologically rare, these elements are hard to extract economically due to their dispersed nature and chemically similar properties.
The US currently relies heavily on imports - especially from China - for its REE supply, raising concerns about supply chain security. This research aims to reduce that dependency by tapping into underutilized domestic sources already present in mining waste streams.
A Smarter Way to Extract: Precision Polymers Meet AI
At the heart of the project is a cutting-edge approach: ion-imprinted polymers designed to target and bind specific rare earth elements with molecular-level precision.
Unlike traditional bulk-extraction methods, this technique filters out unwanted materials while capturing only the desired elements.
Even more impressively, the polymers are made from seafood processing byproducts, adding an extra layer of sustainability.
“These elements are like twin brothers when it comes to telling them apart,” explains Dr. Pan Ni, a research scientist with the Missouri Water Center. That level of selectivity is key - there are 17 rare earth elements, many of which have nearly identical chemical profiles.
To sharpen this molecular targeting, the team is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the process. The AI system continuously analyzes performance data to fine-tune the polymer design, improving accuracy and efficiency with every iteration.
Transforming Liability into Opportunity
This breakthrough could do more than secure critical resources - it might also turn costly environmental cleanups into profitable ventures.
Old mining sites across Missouri have long been seen as environmental liabilities due to toxic materials that persist in wastewater and retention ponds. This project flips the script by extracting value from those wastes, making site remediation economically viable for the first time.
If Missouri were to become a leading supplier of these elements, it would be a game changer.
Baolin Deng, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and co-director of the Missouri Water Center
That revenue could help fund further remediation efforts, making it a win-win for both the environment and the economy.
Scaling Up: Missouri and Beyond
While the initial focus is on Missouri, the project is designed with national impact in mind. Collaborators include faculty from Mizzou’s College of Engineering - Jian Lin, Jaewon Lee, and Caixia “Ellen” Wan - alongside Quasar Energy Group and the University of Colorado.
The Colorado partnership expands the research to natural runoff from the Rocky Mountains, allowing the team to test the method in geologically diverse environments. This step is key to demonstrating the technology's scalability and adaptability across different US regions.
Field testing at Missouri mining sites is slated to begin within the next few years, marking a major milestone in the project’s progression from lab to real-world application.
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A Critical Step Forward for US Supply Chain Security
This Missouri-led effort represents a bold new strategy to close the rare-earth supply gap. By combining bio-based polymer technology, artificial intelligence, and waste-stream valorization, the team is developing a solution that aligns with national security, sustainability, and economic development.
The long-term goal? To build a robust, domestic rare earth supply chain that reduces foreign dependence and cleans up America’s industrial past.
Journal Reference
Press Release. University of Missouri. Turning waste into wealth: Mizzou researchers target Missouri mines for critical materials. Accessed on 16th December 2025. https://showme.missouri.edu/2025/turning-waste-into-wealth-mizzou-researchers-target-missouri-mines-for-critical-materials/