Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Bio-inspired channels show up to five times greater selectivity for lithium
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed tiny channels that favor lithium ions.
Inspired by channels in living cells, the structures let lithium pass while restricting other dissolved elements.
Lithium is used in batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones and energy storage, but it is often mixed with other salts in brines, rocks and used batteries.
In lab tests, the channels were two to five times more selective than other recently developed lithium transporters.
This could eventually make lithium recovery simpler and reduce reliance on harsh solvents and chemical-heavy methods.
The tests showed selective ion transport, not a complete extraction process.
Next, the team plans to build the channels into larger membranes and test how they perform in real brines and at industrial scale.
Commercial recovery rates, energy use and costs have not been established.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed artificial nanoscale channels that favor lithium ions over competing ions.
In laboratory experiments, the channels showed lithium selectivity two to five times higher than other recently developed lithium transporters.
The design uses chemical groups near the channel entrances and a confined internal structure to influence which ions pass through.
The results demonstrate selective ion transport, not a complete industrial extraction process.
The team says further testing is needed to assess performance in real brines and at industrial scale.
- Who
- Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin.
- What
- They developed bio-inspired nanoscale channels that selectively transport lithium ions.
- When
- The study was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society; the publication date is not stated.
- Where
- The channels were developed at the University of Texas at Austin and tested in laboratory experiments.
- Why
- The researchers aim to make lithium recovery from complex mixtures simpler, faster and cleaner.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The team developed similar technology to separate rare earth elements.
The new channels showed lithium selectivity two to five times higher than other recently developed lithium transporters.
The research was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
- Research institution
- University of Texas at Austin
- Selectivity
- Two to five times higher than other recently developed lithium transporters
- Channel design
- Chemical groups near the entrances and a confined internal structure
- Research journal
- Journal of the American Chemical Society
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Our goal is a process that is faster, cleaner and easier to run.