Researchers have unveiled an innovative technique for extracting lithium, a vital component in lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles and energy storage systems. This new extraction method promises to be more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable compared to traditional processes. The research was published in the esteemed journal Science, and a startup named Rock Zero is poised to commercialize this groundbreaking approach. Yet-Ming Chiang, an MIT professor and one of the study’s authors, believes that this method could become the most economical way to source lithium globally.
Currently, lithium extraction primarily relies on two methods: extracting from brine, which is geographically constrained and requires extensive evaporation pools, and hard-rock mining, which involves blasting rock and using hazardous chemicals. The new technique utilizes a weak acid to dissolve silicate minerals, releasing lithium along with other valuable byproducts like alumina and silica. Chiang’s inspiration for this process stemmed from an earlier venture focusing on cement production, where the team recognized the potential for creating reactive materials through similar chemical reactions. By employing ammonium fluoride, a weaker acid found in glass etching cream, researchers have discovered a safer and more efficient method to extract lithium from spodumene, a mineral commonly used in lithium mining.
This method significantly reduces energy costs by eliminating the need for high-temperature roasting of spodumene ore, which is a key step in conventional processing. The new process operates at lower temperatures and can extract nearly all lithium from the ore within hours, a remarkable improvement over previous techniques. Rock Zero’s approach is designed to be versatile, potentially allowing the utilization of ores that are unsuitable for traditional methods. As the team works to scale and optimize the process, they are also assessing the economic viability, with projections indicating that extraction costs could be lower than current hard-rock mining methods. With plans for a pilot plant underway, Rock Zero is actively seeking partnerships within the mining sector to bring this promising technology to market.
Source: How a new extraction process could unlock the world’s lithium via MIT Technology Review