b'TALENT PIPELINE: Finally, we examined the effects of ligand competition in dual-ligand systems. The Chloe Tolbert, student at University of Wyoming primary ligands consisted of iminodiacetate, -hydroxyisobutyrate, and lactate. Swapnil Bamane, student at Secondary ligands were formate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Performance Michigan Technological University of the dual-ligand system was evaluated based on the separation factor between Sm and Dy, as middle series lanthanides are the most difficult to separate. After optimizing pH, separation voltage, and background electrolyte concentration optimized and combining with 15 mM propionate and 20 mM hydroxyisobutyrate, the separation factor between Sm and Dy improved by 2.5 compared to when only the primary ligand was used. This same system was then applied to a sample mixture containing 14 lanthanides, and baseline resolution was achieved on 10/13 adjacent lanthanide pairs in less than 8 minutes.PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:Tolbert, C. L., Bamane, S. S., Pawar, G. M., Case, M. E., Hill, C. M., Fox, R. V., Investigation of fundamental interactions between rare earth elements and a series of carboxylate ligands: An experimental and computational approach, Separation and Purification Technology, 2023 [In press].Tolbert, C. L., Bamane, S. S., Pawar, G. M., Case, M. E., Hill, C. M., Fox, R. V., Enhancing the electrophoretic separation of rare earth elements through complexation with carboxylate ligands, TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo, June 19-21, 2023.Tolbert, C. L., Enhancing the electrophoretic separation of rare earth elements through complexation with carboxylate ligands. ACS Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting. September 15-17, 2023.INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:Lecrivain, T. L., Tolbert, C. L., Fox, R. V., Case, M. E., Hill, C. M. (2023). A capillary electrophoretic system and related methods of separating rare earth elements (US Application no. 2939-P17511US BA-1439). United States Patent and Trademark Office. [Filed]Electrophoretic mobilities of 14 lanthanides with and without ligand present in the background electrolyte of a capillary electrophoretic separation highlighting the efficacy of using a transport-based separation approach.131'