lw-editor

Worldwide sales of lithium salts are only about $1 billion a year. But the element is a vital component of batteries that power everything from cars to smartphones, laptops and power tools.

Hundreds of people listened in on this important topic including recycling batteries, reusing batteries, and what materials we can reclaim. How do we reclaim these materials? What are the economics of recycling? How can we address the reusability on the design side of the batteries?

Oxide ions, in LiFePO4, as well as in LithiumWerk’ patented LiFe1-yMgyPO4 olivine structure, form a hexagonal close packing (hcp) arrangement. The metal (Fe) ions form zigzag chains of octahedra in alternate basal planes bridged by the tetrahedral phosphate groups (PO4).

Fossil fuel depletion and increasing pressure for environmental protection have led to a global need for generating clean energy from renewable energy sources. In this context, energy storage systems play a crucial role in balancing and maintaining flexibility between the power supply and load demand.

If you’ve been paying attention to the debate about lithium-ion battery materials, then you will know there is a price problem with lithium, but the real market danger is with cobalt.