Date of Award

Fall 12-12-2025

Degree Type

Publishable Paper

Degree Name

Master of Science in Material Science Engineering (MSMatSE)

Department

Materials Science

Committee Chair

Richard LaDouceur

First Advisor

Courtney Young

Second Advisor

Grant Wallace

Abstract

The increasing global demand for high-energy-value materials (HEVM), such as rare earth elements (REEs), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and lithium (Li), coupled with their limited availability and environmental concerns associated with traditional mining methods, necessitates the development of alternative and sustainable recovery strategies. Wastewater streams from industrial processes, mining operations, and electronic waste treatment represent untapped reservoirs of these valuable materials. Research is proposed to develop sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable methods for selectively recovering HEVM from mine wastewater (Berkeley Pit, Montana). Two innovative approaches, the adsorption process using functionalized adsorbent and solvent extraction (SX) using organic or hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDES), will be investigated. Resonant Vibratory Mixing (RVM) technology will be introduced for the enhancement of slow adsorption kinetics and to improve contact time in SX. For the adsorption process, different types of biochar produced from local biomass sources will be used, and it will leverage the unique surface chemistry and porosity of modified and unmodified biochar to selectively capture HEVM. Surface characterization of biochar (using Zeta Potential, SEM, FTIR, TGA, and CHN) will be the foremost part of the research. For the SX process, selective separation of HEVM will be the primary objective using the organic extractant Cyanex 272 or HDES. RVM technology will be used to enhance mass transfer in both adsorption and SX processes, potentially reducing time and improving the recovery of targeted HEVM. The expected end goal will include the development of optimized biochar adsorbents with enhanced selectivity for REEs, Cu, Ni, and Co, with the establishment of optimal operating parameters for RVM for both adsorption and SX by developing a predictive model. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of both recovery technologies will also be an inevitable part of the research to assess the economic feasibility, profitability, and environmental impact. The research will contribute to circular economy principles by transforming waste mine water of Berkeley Pit into valuable resource recovery opportunities while addressing critical supply chain and national security issues.

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