Articles tagged with "lithium-extraction"
New solvent method extracts lithium faster from low-grade brines
Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a novel solvent-based method called switchable solvent selective extraction (S3E) to extract lithium more quickly and cleanly from low-grade brines, which are traditionally difficult to process due to low lithium concentrations and high contamination. Unlike conventional solar evaporation ponds that are slow, water-intensive, and limited to specific climates, S3E uses a temperature-sensitive solvent that selectively absorbs lithium ions and water at room temperature and releases purified lithium upon heating, allowing the solvent to be reused. This process also effectively removes magnesium, a common contaminant, enhancing lithium selectivity by up to 10 times over sodium and 12 times over potassium. Lab tests simulating brines from California’s Salton Sea—a region with lithium reserves sufficient for over 375 million electric vehicle batteries—showed that S3E could recover nearly 40% of lithium over multiple cycles using the same solvent batch. The method can operate continuously and be powered by low-grade heat from waste or solar sources,
energylithium-extractionbattery-materialsrenewable-energysustainable-miningsolar-energyelectric-vehiclesPhotos: Inside Tesla’s new Texas refinery turning rock into EV battery lithium
Tesla has officially commenced production at its new lithium refinery near Corpus Christi, Texas, marking a significant milestone in North America’s electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. The facility, which reached full startup in 2025 after just two years from groundbreaking, is designed specifically to process spodumene, a hard rock lithium mineral, into battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Unlike traditional lithium refineries that rely on acid-based methods, Tesla’s plant uses a cleaner, acid-free process involving high-temperature kilns, alkaline leaching, and multiple purification steps, resulting in inert and stable byproducts rather than hazardous waste. The refinery’s innovative approach also turns byproducts into useful materials such as analcime, sand, and limestone, which can be used in concrete mixes, thereby reducing waste and emissions. With an expected output capable of supporting about 50 gigawatt hours of batteries annually—enough lithium for roughly one million EVs—this facility is the largest lithium processing plant in North America. Tesla views
energylithium-refineryelectric-vehicle-batteriesbattery-materialslithium-extractionsustainable-energyTesla-energy-technologyAccidental discovery separates lithium from brines without electricity
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a novel, electricity-free membrane method to extract lithium from magnesium-rich brines, which were previously considered uneconomical for lithium recovery. Traditional lithium extraction from brines relies on evaporation ponds and chemical treatments to separate lithium from magnesium, but high magnesium concentrations complicate this process, increasing costs and environmental impact. The new approach uses a negatively charged membrane with pure water on one side and brine on the other, allowing lithium ions to pass through while magnesium ions are trapped, due to their strong binding to the membrane’s negative charges. This unexpected behavior contrasts with conventional electrodialysis, where magnesium ions typically move faster because of their higher charge. This discovery could unlock vast lithium resources trapped in magnesium-rich waters, such as those in the Smackover Formation in Arkansas, helping to meet the growing demand for lithium driven by batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. However, the method cannot separate lithium from ions with the same charge, like sodium, so
lithium-extractionmembrane-technologysustainable-energybattery-materialsrenewable-energymagnesium-rich-brineschemical-engineeringTwo-step flash-heating cuts battery recycling chemicals by 95%
Rice University researchers have developed a novel two-step flash Joule heating chlorination and oxidation (FJH ClO) process for recycling lithium-ion batteries that significantly reduces chemical use and energy consumption. This acid-free method rapidly extracts lithium, cobalt, and graphite from spent batteries with high purity by first exposing battery waste to chlorine gas to break down materials, then heating in air to form metal oxides that separate from lithium chloride, which dissolves easily in water. Compared to conventional recycling methods that rely on strong acids, long reaction times, and generate wastewater, the FJH ClO process uses about half the energy and up to 95% fewer chemicals, offering a cleaner, faster, and more environmentally friendly alternative. The technique enables full-spectrum recovery of critical battery materials in a streamlined, single-route process, avoiding multiple chemical treatments common in existing methods. This efficiency not only promises economic benefits through lower operating costs and faster turnaround but also helps reduce reliance on new mining, mitigating environmental impact. The research
battery-recyclinglithium-ion-batteriesenergy-efficiencymaterials-recoverysustainable-technologylithium-extractionclean-energyMembrane extracts lithium from brines faster, cleaner for batteries
Researchers at Rice University have developed an innovative nanotechnology-based membrane that selectively filters lithium from saltwater brines more quickly and sustainably than traditional methods. Unlike the current large-scale lithium extraction process, which relies on slow evaporation ponds and heavy chemical use—taking over a year and consuming vast amounts of water—the new membrane uses electrodialysis to pass lithium ions through while blocking other abundant ions like sodium, calcium, and magnesium. This selective filtration is achieved by embedding lithium titanium oxide (LTO) nanoparticles into the membrane, whose crystal structure is precisely sized to allow lithium ions to pass, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The membrane’s design incorporates a defect-free polyamide layer grafted with amine groups to evenly blend the LTO nanoparticles, resulting in a strong, durable material that maintained performance over two weeks of continuous use. Its modular three-layer architecture allows for independent optimization, making the technology adaptable for extracting other valuable minerals such as cobalt and nickel. This advancement represents a significant step toward cleaner
energylithium-extractionnanotechnologymembrane-technologybattery-materialssustainable-energyelectrodialysisLFP Powder That Cost 40 Percent Less? Electroflow Says Its Possible - CleanTechnica
Electroflow Technologies, based in San Bruno, California, has developed a proprietary process to extract battery-grade lithium from brine in just three steps, significantly simplifying the traditional ten-step method. This innovation aims to produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) powder at a cost up to 40% lower than current Chinese suppliers, who dominate the market. The company’s co-founders, Eric McShane and Evan Gardner, believe their technology can reduce LFP powder production costs from around $4,000 per metric ton to potentially less than $2,500, while establishing a domestic supply chain independent of Chinese processing and refining. The Electroflow process uses an electrochemical cell with anodes that absorb lithium ions from brine and then release them into water containing carbonates, producing lithium carbonate ready for conversion into LFP powder. This system runs entirely on electricity, with low power consumption comparable to that of an average U.S. household for producing 50 metric tons annually. Additionally, the process rec
energylithium-extractionLFP-powderbattery-materialsElectroflow-Technologiesclean-energydomestic-supply-chainHell’s Kitchen: Can Lithium & Geothermal Power Thrive In The Salton Sea? - CleanTechnica
The Hell’s Kitchen project in Imperial County, California, spearheaded by Controlled Thermal Resources, aims to simultaneously generate geothermal electricity and extract lithium from geothermal brine in the Salton Sea region. The initial phase targets producing 25,000 tons per year of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate alongside approximately 50 MW of electricity. This project is notable for leveraging the unique geothermal and mineral-rich brines of the Salton Sea, one of the few U.S. locations with sufficient heat and lithium concentrations (150-250 mg/L) to support such integrated operations. The project has received special federal permitting and secured investments and off-take agreements with major automakers, highlighting its strategic importance in clean energy and critical mineral supply chains. The Salton Sea itself is a complex ecological and social environment, formed accidentally in 1905 and now facing environmental challenges such as increasing salinity, shrinking shorelines, and air quality issues from exposed playa dust. The brines are chemically challenging due to high
energylithium-extractiongeothermal-powerclean-energybattery-materialsrenewable-energySalton-SeaU.S. Energy Department Supports Critical Minerals & Materials Supply Chain - CleanTechnica
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has made significant strides in bolstering the critical minerals and materials supply chains, a priority advanced under President Biden and supported by Democrats in Congress. Despite initial delays and uncertainties, the Trump administration has continued backing this sector, recognizing its importance for future technology and economic growth. Recently, the DOE issued nearly $1 billion in notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) aimed at advancing mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies across key stages of these supply chains. Key initiatives include the Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM) Accelerator program, which focuses on maturing technologies to enable domestic commercialization in areas such as rare-earth magnet supply chains, semiconductor materials, and lithium extraction. The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management plans to allocate about $250 million to pilot recovery of valuable mineral byproducts at American industrial facilities. Additionally, the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) aims to enhance domestic rare earth element (REE) supply chains by supporting
energycritical-mineralsmaterials-supply-chainrare-earth-elementsmining-technologymanufacturing-technologieslithium-extractionUS researchers tap 50% cleaner lithium for next-gen EV batteries
US researchers at the University of Connecticut are developing a more sustainable method to extract lithium from domestic geothermal brines, aiming to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 50%. Led by assistant professor Burcu Beykal, the team is creating an “end-to-end digital twin,” a comprehensive digital model of the entire lithium production process that integrates techno-economic assessments and lifecycle analyses. This approach offers a cleaner alternative to traditional lithium extraction methods, which are typically energy- and water-intensive, and addresses the growing demand for lithium in electric vehicles (EVs) and consumer electronics. The research focuses on utilizing mineral-rich geothermal brines, such as those found near California’s Salton Sea, where geothermal energy is already harnessed. By adding lithium extraction to existing geothermal operations, the method could establish a domestic, integrated production system that enhances supply chain resilience and reduces reliance on foreign lithium sources. Graduate student Hasan Nikkhah has developed mathematical models to optimize the locations of extraction, battery manufacturing, and EV production facilities, aiming
lithium-extractionelectric-vehicle-batteriessustainable-energydigital-twin-technologygeothermal-brinessupply-chain-optimizationclean-energy-materialsWorld’s first sun-powered thermal desalination tech extracts lithium
Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) have developed an innovative sun-powered thermal desalination technology that significantly enhances lithium extraction from brine while offering a greener alternative to traditional methods. Building on their 2024 thermodiffusive desalination (TDD) technique—which keeps water in liquid form throughout the process—the team introduced a liquid Burgers cascade (LBC) system. This design improves performance by employing flow control, optimized heat distribution via U-shaped conductive boundaries, partial thermal insulation, and precise recovery tuning. These enhancements led to a nearly 40-fold increase in water recovery and energy efficiency compared to earlier single-channel setups, demonstrating reliable operation with real seawater from Australia’s coast. The LBC system’s membrane-free, all-liquid approach addresses key challenges in desalination and brine mining, such as high energy consumption, corrosion, and environmental impact. It enables efficient treatment of high-salinity brines common in desalination and oil and gas industries without using harmful chemicals. The researchers
energythermal-desalinationlithium-extractionbrine-miningrenewable-energywater-treatmentenergy-efficiencyNew clay membrane tech can extract lithium straight from water
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago have developed a novel, low-cost membrane technology capable of efficiently extracting lithium directly from saltwater. This membrane is made from vermiculite, a naturally abundant and inexpensive clay, which is processed into ultrathin two-dimensional sheets. To stabilize these sheets in water, the team introduced microscopic aluminum oxide pillars that maintain the membrane’s structure and enable selective ion filtration based on size and charge. By doping the membrane with sodium ions, it gains a positive surface charge that repels magnesium ions more strongly than lithium ions, allowing for effective separation of lithium from chemically similar elements. This breakthrough offers a scalable alternative to traditional lithium mining, which is costly, slow, and geographically concentrated, by tapping into the vast lithium reserves dissolved in seawater, underground brines, and wastewater. The membrane’s ability to selectively filter lithium with high precision could reduce dependence on foreign lithium suppliers and unlock new domestic sources. Beyond lithium, the
materialsenergylithium-extractionmembrane-technology2D-materialssustainable-miningwater-filtration