Japan's Atomic Energy Research and Development Agency has made a groundbreaking advancement by announcing a new technology that efficiently extracts lithium from seawater. This development could significantly benefit Japan, a country with limited natural lithium reserves, by enabling it to access this critical resource from the ocean at a more affordable cost in the future.
Lithium, a rare and valuable metal, plays a vital role in modern technology, especially in the production of lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. Currently, Japan relies entirely on imported lithium, which makes it vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. While terrestrial lithium reserves are estimated to be around 14 million tons, the oceans hold an astonishing amount—approximately 230 billion tons. However, extracting lithium from seawater has been challenging due to its extremely low concentration.
The research team developed an innovative device designed to extract lithium directly from seawater. The device is a compact cube, measuring about 7 centimeters on each side. Inside, it is divided into two sections by a special membrane that allows only lithium ions to pass through. One section is exposed to seawater, while the other contains hydrochloric acid. Electrodes are placed in both compartments, and when an electrical current is applied, lithium ions move through the membrane and dissolve into the hydrochloric acid solution.
Once dissolved, lithium can be easily separated using sodium carbonate, simplifying the overall extraction process. In laboratory tests, the device successfully extracted approximately 1.8 milligrams of lithium from 25 liters of seawater over the course of 30 days, achieving an extraction efficiency of over 50%.
This technology marks a major step forward in making seawater a viable source of lithium. If scaled up, it could revolutionize the way lithium is obtained, reducing dependency on land-based sources and offering a sustainable, long-term solution for the growing demand in renewable energy and electronics. The Japan Atomic Energy Research and Development Agency is optimistic that this innovation will lead to cost-effective and large-scale lithium extraction from the ocean in the near future.
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