Lithium mining is energy intensive and environmentally costly. This is because lithium ions are typically present in brines as a minor component mixed with physiochemically similar cations that are difficult to separate. Inspired by nature’s ability to selectively extract species in transpiration, we report a solar transpiration–powered lithium extraction and storage (STLES) device that can extract and store lithium from brines using natural sunlight. Specifically, the device uses a hierarchically structured solar transpirational evaporator to create a pressure gradient, which allows for the extraction of lithium from brines through a membrane and its storage in a vascular storage layer. Long-term experiments, various membrane tests, and different size assessments demonstrate the stability, compatibility, and scalability of STLES. This solar-powered mining technology provides an alternative developing pathway toward the sustainable extraction of critical resources.

中文翻译：

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太阳能蒸腾驱动的锂提取和储存


锂矿开采是能源密集型的，而且环境成本高昂。这是因为锂离子通常作为次要组分存在于盐水中，与难以分离的理化相似阳离子混合。受大自然在蒸腾作用中选择性提取物种的能力的启发，我们报道了一种太阳能蒸腾动力锂提取和储存 （STLES） 装置，该设备可以利用自然阳光从盐水中提取和储存锂。具体来说，该设备使用分层结构的太阳能蒸腾蒸发器来产生压力梯度，从而允许通过膜从盐水中提取锂并将其储存在血管储存层中。长期实验、各种膜测试和不同尺寸的评估证明了 STLES 的稳定性、兼容性和可扩展性。这种太阳能采矿技术为可持续开采关键资源提供了另一种发展途径。