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TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Bioengineered Peptide Platform for Low-Water Critical Mineral Recovery
Contact and place of performance
Marc Witkowski
Los Alamos, NM 87545
USA
This Bioengineered Peptide Platform enables selective recovery of high-value critical minerals from dilute and complex process streams using a bioengineered, low-chemical, low-water approach that integrates directly into existing bioleach operations. As demand for critical minerals accelerates across clean energy, electronics and defense sectors, mining operators need more efficient and sustainable enrichment me...
View moreTraditional separation technologies are chemical-intensive, multi-stage and inefficient in early-stage or dilute process streams.
Problems Solved:
This technology introduces a bioengineered, low-water preconcentration step that integrates directly into existing bioleach operations.
The platform:
The result is a cleaner, more efficient pathway to recover high-value critical minerals. The platform combines engineered metal-binding peptides designed for high selectivity and cooperative binding to specific critical minerals with self-assembling interfacial proteins (e.g., hydrophobin-based scaffolds) that localize to gas–liquid interfaces. The system is designed as a drop-in module compatible with existing infrastructure.
Key Advantages:
Market Applications:
Development Status: TRL 3
US patent application pending
LA-UR-26-23312
LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential
Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.
LANL’s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact [email protected].
Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.
https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology
m.lanl.gov/tech-search
The Department of Energy, through Triad - DOE Contractor, is seeking commercial partners to license a bioengineered peptide platform designed for the selective recovery of high-value critical minerals. This technology utilizes engineered metal-binding peptides and self-assembling interfacial proteins to concentrate target metals from dilute and complex process streams, such as those found in bioleach and hydrometallurgical operations. The platform functions as a low-water, low-chemical preconcentration step that integrates into existing infrastructure to improve recovery from low-grade ores while reducing reliance on external chemical reagents and secondary waste streams.
This licensing opportunity, identified by solicitation number S-195398, is classified under NAICS 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) and PSC AJ11 for General Science and Technology R&D Services; General Science and Technology; Basic Research. The technology is currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 with a U.S. patent application pending. Potential market applications include mining and hydrometallurgical processing, battery and electrification materials, and supply chains for defense and national security.
The government has not designated a set-aside for this notice, as indicated by the code and explanation NONE. Responses are due by May 10, 2026. The primary place of performance is Los Alamos, New Mexico, and the point of contact for this announcement is Marc Witkowski. The notice contains no attachments and is associated with Los Alamos National Laboratory identifier LA-UR-26-23312.
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