Researchers at MIT have developed a new way to extract lithium from spodumene rocks using a low-temperature, acid-free process. This method eliminates the need for high-heat roasting, which significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional mining practices. The process uses a closed-loop system to recycle chemical reagents and recover over 95% of the lithium. Because it operates at lower temperatures, it can be more easily powered by renewable energy sources, potentially lowering the overall environmental cost of battery production.
