New solar-powered device extracts lithium for batteries while desalinating seawater

Chinese researchers have developed a solar-powered "seesaw" device that extracts lithium from seawater while producing drinking water, addressing the growing demand for lithium batteries and the environmental problems of land-based mining. The innovative extractor uses solar energy to evaporate seawater and concentrate lithium, while its tilting motion naturally washes away salt buildup that typically clogs equipment. In testing, the device showed 69% better lithium uptake than standard methods and achieved 370,000-fold efficiency in separating lithium from sodium.