Researchers at Penn State have developed a groundbreaking method for lithium extraction that is faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly, recently securing patent rights for their innovation.

This new method allows for high-efficiency lithium extraction in minutes using low temperatures and water-based leaching, avoiding the need for acid and high heat.

The innovative process employs sodium hydroxide and operates at lower temperatures, making it compatible with existing industrial infrastructure and easier to implement on a large scale.

Currently, Australia, Chile, and China are the leading suppliers of lithium, with Chile and Argentina accounting for 97% of U.S. lithium imports, despite the U.S. having substantial lithium deposits.

The new extraction process not only targets lithium but also has potential applications for other critical minerals like rubidium and cesium, which are useful in various technologies including electronics and batteries.

Traditional lithium extraction methods are resource-intensive and environmentally damaging, involving high-temperature heating and sulfuric acid baking, which produce significant carbon emissions and hazardous waste.

Lithium is essential for rechargeable batteries in various technologies, including smartphones and electric vehicles, and is crucial for energy storage and other industrial applications.

The research team is now focusing on scaling up their extraction method for industrial applications, with support from the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences through the George H. Deike, Jr. Research Award.

Mohammad Rezaee, a mining engineering professor at Penn State, led the research team and highlighted the importance of environmentally responsible lithium extraction due to its critical role in modern technology.

Rezaee and his team are exploring the extraction of rubidium and cesium from different ores, indicating the broad applicability of their method beyond lithium.