Huanjun Bao
Hometown:
Ezhou, a small city in Hubei Province near Wuhan, China
Undergraduate Degree:
Mineral Processing Engineering
Research Title:
Development of Electrode Materials for Recovery of Low-Concentration Rare Earths Based Electro-sorption Technology
Research Story:
Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential to advanced technologies such as defense systems, electric vehicles, and permanent magnets. However, their extraction and processing generate large volumes of wastewater containing low concentrations of REEs, posing environmental risks and causing resource loss. Conventional recovery methods are often costly, chemically intensive, and inefficient at low concentrations. Capacitive deionization (CDI), an electro-sorption technology, offers a low-energy, chemical-free alternative for ion separation, but its application to REE recovery remains limited. This research focuses on developing high-performance, low-cost electrode materials with enhanced capacity and selectivity for efficient recovery of low-concentration REEs from wastewater.
Why did you choose the Mining and Minerals Engineering Department at Virginia Tech?
It is one of the few institutions in the United States with a strong and comprehensive mining program. My academic background in mineral processing at both the undergraduate and master’s levels aligns closely with the department’s research strengths. In addition, Blacksburg provides a safe, quiet, and focused environment that is ideal for research. The excellent research facilities and strong academic training at Virginia Tech will allow me to broaden my international perspective and further develop my research capabilities.
What are your career aspirations after completing your degree?
I aspire to continue my research at a leading academic institution or to pursue research-oriented roles in industry, with the goal of addressing real-world problems through my work.
What advice do you have for future graduate students?
Make the most of this time, stay passionate and curious, and persevere in your pursuits.
What is a fun fact about you?
A fun fact about me is that I might look a bit serious or quiet at first, but I’m actually pretty silly and love joking around once you get to know me.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, listening to music, and exploring different places.
What is your favorite meal to eat or cook?
I don’t really have one single favorite meal, but lately I’ve been really missing the food from my hometown — especially hot dry noodles, different kinds of beef noodles or rice noodles, lotus root soup, fish dishes, and spicy food like crayfish. Those flavors always make me feel at home.
