Scientists have discovered a new bacterial protein that could help detect and collect the rare-earth metals from the environment, used in making smartphones.<br />”<br />”<br />”Researchers from Pennsylvania State University of the US said, the protein is 100 million times better at binding to rare-earth elements like lanthanides, which are used in the screens and electronics of smartphones, batteries of hybrid cars, lasers, and other technologies.<br />”<br />”<br />”Joseph Cotruvo, an assistant professor at the University said&nbsp; &nbsp;the newly discovered bacteria, named lanmodulin, have developed a unique way to target lanthanides in the environment, where they are much less abundant than other metals like calcium.<br />”<br />”<br />”<span style="color: #222222;">He said, understanding how this protein binds lanthanides with such incredibly high selectivity could reveal ways to detect and target these important metals.</span><br />