NEW SBIR/STTR AWARD: ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC CONTROL# 2785-1635 PROJECT TITLE: DEVELOPMENT OF AN ALFALFA/BIODIGESTED LIGNITE/FUNGAL BIOLEACHING-BASED SYSTEM TO ENHANCE PHYTOMINING OF NICKEL FROM SOIL THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF NICKEL (NI) PHYTOMINING INVOLVES THE AGRONOMIC APPLICATION OF HYPERACCUMULATORS (HA) TO EXTRACT NI FROM MARGINAL SOILS. PHYTOMINING ANNUAL YIELDS MAY BE IMPROVED WITH MODIFICATIONS TO THE CURRENT SYSTEM. THESE MODIFICATIONS INVOLVE INCREASING THE INSOLUBLE (OR LESS SOLUBLE) NI TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR MORE NI TO BE ABSORBED BY HA CROPS. THE MODIFICATIONS ALSO INVOLVE HA CROP BIOMASS AND GROWTH RATE WITH SUSTAINABLE NITROGEN ADDITION AND CARBONACEOUS AMENDMENTS. THE PROJECT WILL DEVELOP THIS IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR NI PHYTOMINING, WHERE ITS SUCCESS WILL CONTRIBUTE IN DOMESTICALLY MEETING THE INCREASING DEMANDS FOR LITHIUM BATTERIES AND, OVERALL, BENEFIT THE U.S. CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE.