Hyperaccumulators are plants that have evolved to absorb metal, lots of metal, from the soil. These metal consuming plants come in many different kinds, and after feasting the metal remains within them—running through their vascular structures in their sap, or even their shoots, seeds, and leaves. And a group of researchers is currently working on extracting metal from said plants—Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi, specifically. Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi is a plant that accumulates nickel, and the group of researchers reside on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. As the demand for nickel continues to increase (nickel is an essential component of stainless steal, and its derivatives are used for things like electric car batteries or cell phones), it is crucial we look for different ways to accumulate it as mining is extremely destructive. Smelting involves tons of energy intensive healing and melting and results in tons of waste. So how does one farm metals from these superstar plants? And how realistic is this alternative option?
