How Lithios is Revolutionizing Lithium Extraction from Brine
Mo Alkhadra, a former MIT doctoral researcher, initially focused on removing toxic contaminants from water. However, he soon realized the greater potential in recovering valuable minerals—particularly lithium—from underground brine reservoirs. His startup, Lithios, is now at the forefront of sustainable lithium extraction, addressing the skyrocketing demand driven by electric vehicle (EV) production.
The Challenge of Traditional Lithium Mining
Currently, lithium is primarily sourced through:
- Hard-rock mining: Energy-intensive and environmentally disruptive.
- Evaporation ponds: Slow, geographically limited (mostly in South America), and water-wasteful.
With global lithium demand projected to surge, startups like Lithios, Lilac Solutions, and EnergyX are pioneering cleaner, more efficient alternatives.
Lithios’ Battery-Inspired Breakthrough
Lithios’ proprietary technology mimics the ion-exchange process in lithium-ion batteries:
- Brine Flow: Lithium-rich water passes over electrified intercalation compounds (similar to battery electrodes).
- Selective Absorption: These compounds act like a “sponge,” capturing lithium ions while ignoring other dissolved minerals.
- Purification: The system flushes the sponge with fresh water, releasing a concentrated lithium solution ready for battery production.
“We use inexpensive, abundant materials with robust supply chains,” Alkhadra noted, though specifics remain confidential.
Sustainability Advantages
- Minimal Water Waste: Brine is reinjected underground; fresh water is recycled.
- Scalability: Modular systems can expand from pilot units to industrial-scale operations.
- Geographic Flexibility: Tested successfully across 16 brine sources in North America, Europe, and South America.
Funding and Future Goals
Lithios recently secured $10M in seed funding, led by Clean Energy Ventures, with participation from GS Futures, Lowercarbon Capital, and others. An additional $2M in venture debt from Silicon Valley Bank will accelerate equipment procurement.
Next Steps:
- Scale from lab prototypes to field-deployable, refrigerator-sized systems.
- Target commercial production of thousands of tons of lithium carbonate within years.
“Growing up in arid Saudi Arabia shaped my focus on water efficiency,” Alkhadra emphasized, underscoring Lithios’ commitment to sustainable resource recovery.
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