Photo credit: www.yahoo.com
George Washington is poised to play a significant role in a new movement, thanks to a group of researchers in the capital.
At The George Washington University, a team has partnered with others to unveil a groundbreaking technique for lithium extraction, a vital component in batteries that power electric vehicles and other technologies integral to the transition toward sustainable energy.
These findings, shared in a press release and published in the journal Nature, are noteworthy due to their environmentally friendly approach, which avoids traditional mining techniques and the use of harmful chemicals commonly associated with large brine pits. Such conventional extraction methods often pose significant environmental risks, as Euronews has highlighted.
Instead of conventional methods, GW’s research team has introduced an electro-driven process utilizing a special material designed to selectively extract lithium ions from brine. This lithium is then converted to lithium hydroxide suitable for electric vehicle batteries, all achieved at a cost-effective level, as detailed in a recent GW press release.
The researchers identified the Salton Sea in California as a prime brine source for extraction, with the lake containing 50% more salt than seawater, as noted by the state government. The report in Nature indicates that approximately 600,000 tons of lithium could be harvested annually from the Salton Sea, a quantity that “far exceeds” the nation’s current demand.
This technological advance could pave the way for a reliable domestic supply of lithium, which has traditionally been controlled by international markets. According to insights from Visual Capitalist, the reliance on foreign supply chains can present challenges, especially highlighted by recent uncertainties surrounding Chinese graphite export regulations that stirred concern within the industry regarding the availability of essential components for EV batteries.
Watch now: Scientist responds to claim that volcanoes are responsible for planet’s overheating
Lithium and other necessary minerals are part of an estimated 30 million tons of materials needed annually to successfully drive the transition toward sustainable energy, as outlined by Sustainability by Numbers. In contrast, around 16.5 billion tons of fossil fuel resources are extracted worldwide every year, according to research from Our World in Data.
Shifting to cleaner energy is vital in mitigating severe weather events and health risks associated with climate change, which experts from NASA and federal agencies note only increase with rising temperatures.
GW’s innovative approach utilizes technology components like an “intercalation deionization cell,” which works alongside a production well, an injection well, and other systems. Hot brine extracted from the ground not only facilitates lithium harvesting but also produces steam that can generate electricity through turbines. After extracting lithium from the cooled brine—typically regarded as waste in the geothermal industry—the remaining brine can be returned underground. The lithium hydroxide is then processed into a powder for battery production, as reported by Nature.
According to the journal, the system has shown high purity levels in initial trials, and the next significant milestone is to evaluate the technology on a larger scale, as stated in GW’s announcement.
In addition to this method, researchers at Princeton are investigating an approach that involves evaporating briny water using strings, which is viewed as cost-effective and energy-efficient. Meanwhile, another team in Chicago is working on technologies to extract lithium from diverse water sources.
Recycling old battery components also represents a valuable strategy to recover lithium and other metals that have already been sourced. Automotive leader Mercedes-Benz is among those investing in recycling initiatives for power packs, and individuals can easily participate through platforms like Call2Recycle.
These advancements are part of an exciting array of innovations aimed at fostering a more sustainable future.
According to Sergey Paltsev from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, there is a need for a multitude of innovations to address climate challenges—”even those that may seem quite exotic at this moment, including fusion and direct air capture,” he stated in a recent MIT report.
Source
www.yahoo.com