Louise E. Horsfall

Metals are a big piece of the sustainable energy technology puzzle we need to solve for a successful transition to net zero. Batteries in electric vehicles depend on metals including lithium, cobalt and nickel. Rare-earth elements such as neodymium are essential for the powerful magnets in wind-turbine generators. And copper wires form the arteries of our increasingly electrified society.

Abstract Engineering biology applies synthetic biology to address global environmental challenges like bioremediation, biosequestration, pollutant monitoring, and resource recovery. This perspective outlines innovations in engineering biology, its integration with other technologies (e.g., nanotechnology, IoT, AI), and commercial ventures leveraging these advancements.

As we strive towards a Net Zero society that is based on clean, green, and renewable technologies rather than fossil fuels, we are creating a new and intensifying reliance on another essential resource: metals. Meeting this rapidly increasing demand is a major challenge. Could microbes be the answer? Metals are critical for green technologies such as electric vehicles, energy storage, wind turbines, solar photovoltaics, and electricity networks.