Latest news with #MariePerrin
Yomiuri Shimbun
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Zurich Researchers Lead Rare Earth E-Waste Recycling
GENEVA (Reuters) — Researchers at ETH University in Zurich have developed a new method to efficiently recover rare earth elements from electronic waste, advancing sustainable recycling and reducing mining reliance. Rare earth elements play a crucial role in modern electronics, powering fluorescent lamps, magnets in hard drives and are used in the production of generators for wind farms. Currently less than 1% of rare earth materials are recycled, due to the immense energy and chemical effort to separate elements in the materials, which comes at significant expense, according to ETH Zurich University. ETH Pioneer Fellow Dr. Marie Perrin and her supervisor Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences Prof. Dr. Victor Mougel developed a new method that allows the efficient separation of these elements, using a specially designed extractant to alter their solubility. 'We can separate these elements extremely well, and in particular, one of these elements, europium, that is found in fluorescent lamps,' Mougel said. The discovery comes as the European Union is pushing toward greater recycling of rare earth metals, as rising environmental concerns and geopolitical pressures are driving it to seek greater resource independence. Perrin told Reuters this innovation seeks to help the EU to meet its objects under the Critical Raw Material Act agreed in 2023 under which the bloc aims to mine 10%, process 40% and recycle 25% of its needs by 2030. The rare earth metals market is currently dominated by China, which controls up to 70% of global rare earths mining, 85% of refining capacity, consultancy AlixPartners said. The next goal is to bring the technology to scale by working with industrial partners, so that they can eventually have in-house recycling capacity, Perrin added.
Reuters
26-06-2025
- Science
- Reuters
Zurich researchers pioneer rare earth e-waste recycling
GENEVA, June 26 (Reuters) - Researchers at ETH University in Zurich have developed a new method to efficiently recover rare earth elements from electronic waste, advancing sustainable recycling and reducing mining reliance. Rare earth elements play a crucial role in modern electronics, powering fluorescent lamps, magnets in hard drives and are used in the production of generators for wind farms. Currently less than 1% of rare earth materials are recycled, due to the immense energy and chemical effort to separate elements in the materials, which comes at significant expense, according to ETH Zurich University. ETH Pioneer Fellow, Dr. Marie Perrin and her supervisor Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Professor Dr. Victor Mougel developed a new method that allows the efficient separation of these elements, using a specially designed extractant to alter their solubility. "We can separate these elements extremely well, and in particular, one of these elements, europium, that is found in fluorescent lamps," Mougel said. The discovery comes as the European Union is pushing towards greater recycling of rare earth metals, as rising environmental concerns and geopolitical pressures are driving it to seek greater resource independence. Perrin told Reuters this innovation seeks to help the EU to meet its objects under the Critical Raw Material Act agreed in 2023 under which the bloc aims to mine 10%, process 40% and recycle 25% of its needs by 2030. The rare earth metals market is currently dominated by China, which controls up to 70% of global rare-earths mining, 85% of refining capacity, consultancy AlixPartners said. The next goal is to bring the technology to scale by working with industrial partners, so that they can eventually have in-house recycling capacity, Perrin added.
Le Figaro
24-06-2025
- Science
- Le Figaro
Young Inventors Prize 2025: France's Marie Perrin Wins for Breakthrough in Rare Earth Recycling
Réservé aux abonnés All under 30, they aim to change the world. Four of the ten finalists received awards on June 18 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Their technologies tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. What were you up to when you were 25? These young inventors are developing solutions that could soon transform our daily lives — extending the shelf life of fresh fruit, recycling rare earth elements, and turning CO₂ into clothing. The Young Inventors Prize, awarded by the European Patent Office, rewards innovators under the age of 30 who are using technology to respond to major global challenges, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2025 edition, broadcast live worldwide, featured ten finalists selected from 450 applicants. Three of them were awarded prizes by a jury of former winners, and a fourth, the People's Choice Award, received a prize of 15,000 euros – in addition to the 5,000 euros awarded to each finalist. À lire aussi At the Arab World Institute: Gaza's Rescued Treasures, Witnesses to a Deep History Among the winners was Marie Perrin, distinguished in the 'World Builders' category. The French-American chemist is tackling one of today's critical geopolitical challenges: the recycling of rare earths. Essential to modern technologies (from…
Associated Press
23-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Sustainable technology awarded at 2025 Young Inventors Prize ceremony
MUNICH and REYKJAVIK, Iceland, June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- During a ceremony held today in Iceland, the European Patent Office (EPO) has awarded three special prizes as part of the 2025 Young Inventors Prize. These recognise outstanding achievements by inventors aged 30 and under whose work supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A fourth distinction, the People's Choice winner, was awarded to Spanish inventors Granado, Sosa and Chimeno, after having ranked first in the public vote. The ten winners of this year's Young Inventors Prize — known as the Tomorrow Shapers — were selected by an independent jury from over 450 candidates worldwide, each receiving EUR 5 000. From this group, the jury awarded special recognition to Marie Perrin (France/US), Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita (Uganda), and Neeka and Leila Mashouf (US) naming them World Builders, Community Healers, and Nature Guardians, respectively, with each receiving an additional EUR 15 000. The team of Spanish inventors Granado, Sosa and Chimeno was also chosen by public vote as the People's Choice winner, earning a further EUR 5 000. World Builders prize Marie Perrin (28), a French-American chemist based in Switzerland, was awarded the World Builders Prize for her invention– a cleaner method to recycle rare earth elements (REEs) from discarded fluorescent lamps. Rare earths are essential to electronics and green tech, but difficult and environmentally damaging to extract. Perrin's method, commercialised through her company REEcover, avoids harmful solvents and complex purification, making it easier to reuse resources instead of relying on new mining. The process achieves selective recovery of europium while preserving the ability to reuse chemicals, significantly reducing toxic waste compared to conventional methods. 'It has been a true privilege to stand alongside such inspiring young innovators from across the globe, and I hope it encourages more young women to see themselves as inventors and changemakers,' said Perrin. The World Builders prize honours innovators advancing sustainable access to essential resources, such as water, energy and infrastructure. Their work drives circular economy solutions that promote prosperity while reducing environmental impact. Community Healers prize Ugandan entrepreneurs Sandra Namboozo (26) and Samuel Muyita (28) received the Community Healers Prize for having developed a biodegradable sachet that triples the shelf life of fruit without refrigeration. The sachets release plant-based compounds that slow down ripening and help to reduce food waste. The duo founded Karpolax to commercialise their work and support smallholder farmers. In pilot tests, Karpolax-treated mangoes remained fresh for 33 days, compared to just 11 days for untreated fruits. 'Winning a special prize is a powerful validation,' said Namboozo and Muyita. 'It shines a global spotlight on a simple truth: innovation rooted in empathy can change the world.' The Community Healers prize recognises changemakers focused on social equity through solutions in food security, healthcare, education and fair working conditions. Nature Guardians prize Twin sisters Neeka and Leila Mashouf (28), from the United States, were awarded the Nature Guardians prize for a carbon capture process that mimics photosynthesis. Through their company Rubi Laboratories, they developed an enzymatic method that converts CO₂ emissions into biodegradable cellulose for textiles and other products. The company's closed-loop system uses carbon from manufacturing waste streams to produce regenerated fabric without fossil-based fibres or dyes. 'It took countless trials, errors and optimisations to make it all work,' said Neeka. 'From producing enzymes that had never been made before to testing them in conditions no one had ever explored.' The Nature Guardians prize celebrates innovators dedicated to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, addressing climate change, ocean health and wildlife conservation. People's Choice winner Spanish entrepreneurs Pilar Granado (29), Pablo Sosa Domínguez (29) and Luis Chimeno (28) are the People's Choice winners. Their innovation of smart labels that indicate food spoilage based on bacterial growth was selected by public vote for its potential to help reduce food waste and increase food safety, while promoting sustainability across the supply chain. 'We are very excited and grateful for the recognition! It is a motivational boost for us, as this award shows that we are on the right track and that our solution could really change the world, taking a positive step towards a more sustainable and safer supply chain for all', said the team. The People's Choice is chosen by the general public. Voting opened online on 6 May when all the Tomorrow Shapers were announced and closed just before the ceremony started. The Young Inventors Prize celebrates worldwide innovators 30 and under using technology to address global challenges posed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The winners of the 2025 edition were announced today during a ceremony livestreamed from Iceland. Find more information about the inventions, their impact and the inventors' stories here. About the Young Inventors Prize Aimed at individuals 30 and under, the Young Inventors Prize showcases the transformative power of youth-driven solutions and recognises the remarkable young people paving the way to a more sustainable future. Established in 2022, trophies were first handed out during the European Inventor Award ceremony. As of 2025, the Prize has moved up a gear with its own dedicated event, held separately from the Award. Among the 10 Tomorrow Shapers selected for each edition, three receive special prizes: World Builders, Community Healers, and Nature Guardians. In addition, a People's Choice winner is selected through an online public vote. Each Tomorrow Shaper receives EUR 5 000, while the three special prize winners are awarded an additional EUR 15 000. The People's Choice winner also receives an extra EUR 5 000. Read more on the Young Inventors Prize eligibility and selection criteria. About the EPO With 6,300 staff members, the European Patent Office (EPO) is one of the largest public service institutions in Europe. Headquartered in Munich with offices in Berlin, Brussels, The Hague and Vienna, the EPO was founded with the aim of strengthening co-operation on patents in Europe. Through the EPO's centralised patent granting procedure, inventors are able to obtain high-quality patent protection in up to 46 countries, covering a market of some 700 million people. The EPO is also the world's leading authority in patent information and patent searching. *Important note B-roll and picture materials of the inventors/invention here Additional videos and photos from the ceremony will be available shortly Full ceremony video available upon request View original content: SOURCE European Patent Office (EPO)
Euronews
16-06-2025
- Science
- Euronews
Marie Perrin pioneers rare earth recycling
Rare earth elements (REEs) are vital to everything from smartphones and laptops to wind turbines and electric vehicles – but extracting them comes at a steep environmental cost. Mining one tonne of REEs can generate up to 2,000 tonnes of toxic waste, including radioactive material. French-American chemist Marie Perrin is offering a cleaner solution. At ETH Zürich, she developed a fast, scalable process to recover europium from discarded fluorescent lamps – without the pollution of conventional methods. 'Today, I'm working on bringing to market a technology that I developed during my grad studies on the recycling rare earth elements,' Perrin says. 'They're in your phone, in your computer, and in a lot of green technologies, like wind turbines and electric cars.' 'We have a solution [...] to source these metals from the very waste we produce,' she says. The innovation earned her a place among the top ten Tomorrow Shapers in the European Patent Office's 2025 Young Inventors Prize. The patent-pending process begins by dismantling lamps to safely extract phosphor powder and remove mercury. The powder is dissolved in acid, then combined with sulphur-based molecules that trigger a redox reaction. A golden precipitate forms, rich in europium, while other elements like yttrium remain in solution. The solid is filtered, treated with ammonium oxalate to regenerate the extractant, and finally transformed into usable europium oxide. The method also reduces the need for toxic solvents and allows closed-loop reuse of chemicals. 'Our invention allows us to separate these elements more efficiently. And we do it from waste so that these critical metals are not thrown away,' she says. Born in the US and raised in Toulouse, Perrin was drawn to chemistry from a young age – not least because both her parents are scientists. ''My mum is a chemist, and early on, she shared her passion for chemistry, which really guided me in my studies afterwards,' she says, looking back. Perrin's PhD at ETH Zürich began with work on water purification rather than rare earth separation, but a shift came early in the project when, together with PhD supervisor Professor Victor Mougel, Perrin 'discovered that the molecules that we were using could be used for rare earth separation'. With support from ETH's Technology Transfer Office, Perrin filed a patent application, published her findings in science journal Nature, and co-founded the Swiss startup REEcover with Mougel and longtime friend Maria Pujos. In spite of REEcover's sustainability credentials, it has not all been smooth sailing. 'We reached out to many companies but struggled to make an impact at first,' Perrin recalls. 'When we began to make contacts, we realised that many industries do not have power over their supply chain.' Initially focused on lamps, REEcover is now expanding into recovering rare earths from magnets used in electric vehicles and electronics. The team is running proof-of-concept studies to adapt the method to other waste streams, aiming to push industry towards circular models. For Perrin, this is not science for science's sake. 'Our generation faces many challenges, from global pandemics to climate change,' she says. 'If you have an idea, be bold, be creative and keep pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.'
