TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Protein-Based Rare Earth Recovery via Condensation

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Version Current Record Pre-Award Solicitation Details Classification Description Contact Information Attachments/Links TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Protein-Based Rare Earth Recovery via Condensation

Active

Opportunity TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Protein-Based Rare Earth Recovery via Condensation

Active

Notice ID S-193669

Related Notice (blank)

Contract Opportunity Type Special Notice

Contract Line Item Number (blank)

Inactive Dates Jun 22, 2027

Inactive Policy Manual

Response Date Dec 22, 2026 5:00 PM MST

Published Date Jun 22, 2026 12:32 PM MDT

Department/Ind. Agency ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF

Sub-tier ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF

Office TRIAD - DOE CONTRACTOR

Original Set Aside No Set aside used

Product Service Code AJ12 - GENERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY R&D SERVICES; GENERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; APPLIED RESEARCH

NAICS Code 541714 - Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

Place of Performance (blank)

Initiative None

Protein-Based Rare Earth Recovery via Condensation from scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a cleaner, flexible way to capture and concentrate rare earth elements from complex liquid mixtures by using a bio-inspired protein system that gathers target metals into separable clusters. The approach is designed to reduce reliance on harsher processing methods while supporting more resilient supply chains for critical materials used across energy, electronics, transportation and advanced manufacturing markets. Because the system is genetically modular, the same platform may be adapted with different Lanmodulin-type metal-binding variants to support selective capture needs across varied feedstocks.

How it Works

The technology modifies Lanmodulin, a protein known for strong rare earth element binding, by adding an “encapsulation peptide" to the N-terminus of the protein. Once the engineered protein binds rare earth elements in solution, the resulting protein-metal complexes can be triggered for self-assemble into biomolecular condensates, which are larger clusters that can be removed from the liquid. The material can then be separated and concentrated through various means-such as centrifugation, filtration, and sedimentation-reducing the need for immobilizing the protein on a column or other fixed support.

Technical Description

Rare earth elements are important to modern technologies; yet, processing and purification can be difficult and environmentally damaging. Protein-Based Rare Earth Recovery via Condensation addresses that problem through…

Topic areas: General and Cross-cutting R&D, Circular Economy and Sustainability, Energy and Environment.

Funding amount

This contract provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are due Dec 22, 2026. Confirm the exact closing time on the official program page before applying.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• SME
• MidCaps
• Large Company
• Startups
• University
• Research Organization
• NGOs
• Public Authorities

Eligibility

No Set aside used

Agency

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Protein-Based Rare Earth Recovery via Condensation is administered by Energy, Department Of (ED), listed via SAM.gov.