New breakthroughs in lithium extraction technology could unlock vast reserves of the critical mineral, potentially supplying enough material to meet growing global demand for electric vehicle batteries and large-scale energy storage systems. Researchers have developed methods to efficiently recover lithium from unconventional sources, including geothermal brines and oilfield wastewater, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional mining. The advancements aim to reduce reliance on environmentally sensitive extraction processes while accelerating the transition to cleaner energy solutions. With lithium shortages posing a challenge for the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure, these innovations may help stabilize supply chains and lower costs for future battery production.
US technology to tap 100,000 tons of lithium for EV batteries and energy storage Interesting Engineering
