Tackling global demand for lithium one string at a time

By Nina Notman2023-10-20T08:18:00

Blue strings hanging down with a white salt crystallizing on them

Source: © Bumper DeJesus

Crystalising lithium salts on strings could be the key to supplying the vast volume needed for a net-zero world

Use this story and the accompanying summary slide to provide real-world context for 14–16 learners studying crystallisation and separation techniques. US researchers have designed a technique that uses strings to significantly speed up the evaporation of lithium salts from brine. This greener approach could help meet growing global demand for the metal, which is needed for electric vehicle batteries and grid storage, as the world moves towards electrification and zero-carbon energy.

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