che_june-2024 - 10

reduce the amount of animal tests.
The method is based on transformers, a type
of AI model for deep learning that was originally
developed for language processing. Transformers
can identify properties in the structure
of molecules that cause toxicity, in a more sophisticated
way than has been previously possible.Using
this information, the toxicity of the
molecule can then be predicted by a deep neural
network. Neural networks and transformers
belong to the type of AI that continuously
improves itself by using training data - in this
case, large amounts of data from previous laboratory
tests of the effects of thousands of different
chemicals on various animals and plants.
The method is described in a recent issue of
Science Advances.
Syensqo SA's
CARBON NEUTRALITY
(Brussels,
Belgium; www.
syensqo.com) Kallo-Beveren production facility
has achieved carbon neutrality by running exclusively
on renewable energy. The facility produces
Syensqo's Ryton polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)
specialty-polymers.
The transition covers the complete decarbonization
of the plant with regard to direct (Scope
1) and indirect (Scope 2) emissions under the
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. It is in line with
the company's targets to reduce emissions by
40% by 2030 and be carbon neutral by 2040. ❐
Functionalized ionic liquids enhance
L-L extraction of Ga and Ge
G
allium and germanium are
considered critical materials
due to their multiple
uses in semiconductors,
optics, healthcare and pharmaceuticals,
and other high-technology
applications. Current solvent-based
extraction methods for recovering
these elements suffer from significant
drawbacks, such as low separation
efficiency, poor selectivity and
the generation of large amounts of
waste solvents.
Research at the Missouri University
of Science and Technology (MST;
Rolla, Mo.; www.mst.edu) is aimed
at addressing those
drawbacks.
Lana Alagha, associate professor
of mining engineering at MST, and
colleagues were recently awarded
a grant of $875,000 from Rio Tinto
(London, U.K.; www.riotinto.com) for
a two-year project to develop technology
that uses functionalized ionic
liquids (ILs) for extraction of Ga and
Ge from aqueous waste products resulting
from copper mining.
" Functionalized ILs have task-specific
ligands that facilitate the metal
extraction by a solvation mechanism,
rather than by an ion-exchange
mechanism, thus extending the lifetime
of the extractant and eliminating
the need for a costly saponification
process, " explains Alagha in a patent
covering the technology. Complexing
functionalities are incorporated
into both anionic and cationic
parts of the ILs, and researchers can
change the anion and cation of the
IL to tailor the structure and target
specific metals, Alagha says.
" The inner synergistic effect provided
by both cation and anion helps
to improve the loading capacity and
kinetics of the extraction process, "
allowing
enhanced
recovery
and
separation of Ga and Ge, Alagha
notes. " There is currently little-to-no
production of these two elements in
the U.S., and we rely to an alarming
extent on importing them. "
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10
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM
JUNE 2024
http://www.mst.edu http://www.syensqo.com http://www.riotinto.com http://adlinks.chemengonline.com/86464-05 http://WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM
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