Diagram of lithium extraction by ceramic membrane know-how (supply: Xerion)
Xerion has been awarded the American-Made Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize for creating ceramic redox membrane know-how for lithium extraction.
Xerion Superior Battery Corp. (Xerion), in partnership with a group from the College of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been awarded the highest prize within the inaugural American-Made Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize by the U.S. Division of Vitality. The prize, which incorporates $1 million in funding from the Geothermal Applied sciences Workplace (GTO), will speed up Xerion’s plans to commercialize its progressive, first-of-its-kind ceramic redox membrane know-how for the manufacturing of lithium hydroxide (LiOH) from geothermal brine.
Xerion demonstrated that its patented nanostructured ceramic redox membrane can effectively extract lithium from uncooked geothermal brines with low lithium concentrations, comparable to these present in California’s Salton Sea area, and produce high-quality aqueous lithium hydroxide.
This lithium hydroxide can be utilized straight as a battery feedstock to synthesize cathodes in a single step utilizing Xerion’s DirectPlate™ molten salt electroplating course of; transformed to a lithium metallic anode to be used in solid-state batteries; or fed into the present typical cathode manufacturing course of.
Xerion’s novel method to lithium extraction from geothermal brine provides substantial benefits over strategies in use in the present day associated to selective extraction of lithium, materials stability, and environmental impression. This separation know-how is a major extension of Xerion’s superior dense cathode innovation.
Professor Paul Braun, the College of Illinois group lead, notes, “Unlike polymer membranes, Xerion’s DirectPlate™ ceramic membrane is extremely immune to the temperature and chemistry of geothermal brines, offering the required lithium selectivity and sturdiness for real-world operation.”
“The event of environment friendly geothermal lithium extraction applied sciences guarantees to concurrently advance efforts to safe a home lithium provide and to solidify the USA’ place within the world transition to net-zero emissions,” said John Busbee, CEO of Xerion.
“Our membrane know-how is uniquely suited to harness the complete potential of the Salton Sea’s geothermal brine. We look ahead to figuring out and dealing alongside companions to proceed bringing this thrilling innovation to market. The event and commercialization of our low-cost, high-efficiency direct lithium extraction (DLE) from lithium brine sources globally will convey us one step nearer to a clear vitality future that’s powered by homegrown innovation.”
Supply: Xerion through Enterprise Wire
