A groundbreaking lithium-extraction technology developed by our research team is gaining statewide attention, including a recent feature on WFMY News 2. This innovation has the potential to transform North Carolina’s economic landscape and position the state as a national leader in sustainable lithium production.
What sets this new process apart is its efficiency and minimal environmental impact. Instead of relying on traditional mining, often costly, slow, and environmentally intensive, our researchers have developed a method to extract lithium directly from lakes and groundwater. The process takes only a fraction of the time required for conventional extraction techniques and uses cutting-edge filtration technologies to isolate this critical element.
As global demand for lithium continues to surge with the expansion of electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and next-generation battery technologies, this breakthrough could play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s economic future.
Dr. Hemali Rathnayake, who leads the project, emphasized the significance of the discovery: “This technology could be a game changer for the state.”