コロンビア大学工学部の研究チームは、地下のかん水からより迅速かつ環境負荷を抑えてリチウムを抽出する新たな手法を開発した。この手法は温度感受性溶媒を利用するもので、現在主流となっている大規模な蒸発池を必要としない。
「S3E（スイッチ可能な溶媒による選択的抽出）」と呼ばれるこの手法は、室温でかん水からリチウムと水を吸収する仕組みである。溶媒を加熱すると精製されたリチウムが分離・放出され、溶媒自体は再利用が可能となる。試験の結果、リチウムの抽出効率はナトリウムに対して最大10倍、カリウムに対しては12倍に達することが示された。
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A joint research team from Nankai University (Tianjin) and the Shanghai Institute of Space Power-Sources has developed a hydrofluorocarbon-based electrolyte for lithium-metal batteries, achieving up to 700 Wh/kg energy density at room temperature—more than double traditional electrolytes—and stable operation down to minus 70°C. Published in Nature on February 27, 2026, the breakthrough promises to double electric vehicle ranges to 1,000 km and has applications in aerospace.
The United States has identified substantial lithium reserves in the Appalachian region, potentially holding up to 2.3 million metric tons of lithium oxide. These deposits could supply billions of phones and lessen American dependence on China for the critical mineral. The findings were detailed in estimates reported by TechRadar.
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Chinese researchers have developed an innovative organic cathode material that enables batteries to perform efficiently and stably across extreme temperatures, from below freezing to 80 degrees Celsius. The material addresses cost and safety issues of conventional lithium-ion batteries and holds potential for wearable devices. The study, led by Xu Yunhua from Tianjin University and Huang Fei from South China University of Technology, was published in Nature on February 18.
Following its mass production milestone last month, Tesla has filed its third patent in four months on dry electrode battery manufacturing, building on its 2019 Maxwell Technologies acquisition. The March 5 filing details machine design for continuous electrode film production to cut costs and boost efficiency. Elon Musk reiterated that Tesla's patents are open source, mainly to deter trolls.
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A team of researchers examining batteries from Tesla and BYD discovered an unexpected absence of silicon in the anodes, challenging assumptions about improving energy density in electric vehicles. The study, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, compared Tesla's 4680 cylindrical cell with BYD's Blade prismatic cell, revealing key differences in design and performance. These findings offer rare insights into the inner workings of leading EV battery technologies.