Lahore (Web Desk) With the rapidly increasing production of electric vehicles and large-scale battery systems in renewable energy projects, the global demand for lithium is rising sharply. However, traditional extraction methods are considered expensive, slow, and environmentally harmful.
In this context, researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new advanced method for lithium extraction called “Switchable Solvent Selective Extraction” (S3E).
According to the research, this method has the ability to directly extract lithium from underground brine sources, even from deposits where lithium is present in very low concentrations or mixed with other minerals.
The researchers explain that the system uses temperature-responsive solvents that efficiently separate unwanted minerals while extracting lithium more quickly and effectively.
During experiments, the technology proved significantly more efficient than traditional methods, extracting lithium 10 times more effectively than sodium and 12 times more effectively than potassium.
Experts believe this breakthrough could bring major changes to the electric vehicle and energy storage industries in the future, as it may not only increase production but also help reduce environmental impacts.