MUMBAI, India, Jan. 9 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202541133295 A) filed by Cvr College Of Engineering, Hyderabad, Telangana, on Dec. 30, 2025, for 'a hybrid bio-chemical process for selective recovery of rare earth elements from contaminated soils using functionalized biopolymer nanoparticles and microbial leaching.'
Inventor(s) include Dr. T. Raghavendra; and Dr. Y. Seeta.
The application for the patent was published on Jan. 9, under issue no. 02/2026.
According to the abstract released by the Intellectual Property India: "The current invention pertains to a hybrid bio-chemical procedure of selective recovery of rare earth elements in contaminated soils, mining residues, and industrial solid wastes accompanied with remediation of the soil. The procedure employs microbial organic-acid bioleaching for REE mobilization, followed by selective capture using phosphonate- and carboxyl-functionalized magnetic chitosan nanoparticles. The nano-adsorbent is regenerated via low-acid electro-assisted desorption using diluted oxalic acid under low voltage. Subsequent thermal treatment yields high-purity REE oxides. Notably, the system achieves zero liquid discharge by fully recycling microbial leachate and adsorption media. With recovery efficiencies exceeding 90%, this method significantly reduces chemical and energy consumption, offering a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional extraction techniques. Recovery efficiencies of more than 90% are demonstrated with a decreased, cost-effective chemical consumption and energy demand, which makes the process a viable, cost-effective solution that is environmentally sustainable."
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