A materials scientist seeks to extract lithium from untapped sources

Chong Liu, a materials scientist at the University of Chicago, is developing new methods to extract lithium from untapped sources like seawater and wastewater. Her work with iron phosphate has shown promising results in selectively capturing lithium ions from low-concentration solutions. This could potentially address the growing demand for lithium in electric vehicle batteries while reducing environmental impacts of current mining practices. Liu's research also extends to separating rare earth elements and exploring fundamental materials science, with potential applications in various fields.