Breakthrough Lithium Extraction Method Could Slash EV Battery Costs
# A Single‑Step Acid Breakthrough Could Redefine Lithium Supply A study backed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, published in *Science*, details a novel weak‑acid process that dissolves silicate ores and simultaneously releases lithium, alumina, and silica. Professor Yet‑Ming Chiang argues the method could become the world’s lowest‑cost source of lithium, a claim supported by early pilot data that suggest significant efficiency gains over conventional extraction techniques. ## Key Takeaways - The weak‑acid technique extracts lithium, alumina, and silica from silicate ores in a single chemical step. - Early pilot results indicate higher yields and markedly lower energy consumption compared with traditional brine or hard‑rock processes. - Professor Yet‑Ming Chiang projects the method could achieve the lowest production cost per ton of lithium globally. - Adoption of this technology could substantially reduce the cost of EV batteries and lessen reliance on water‑intensive mining. - The process promises to streamline the EV supply chain, offering a more sustainable and geographically diverse source of lithium. #LithiumExtraction #EVBattery #CleanTech #MITResearch #WeakAcidProcess #SupplyChain #BatteryCost #SustainableMining #GreenEnergy #newsababil360 [Read Full Article](https://news.ababil360.com/breakthrough-lithium-extraction-method-could-slash-ev-battery-costs/)
