Midday Science Cafe - It's Elemental: Lithium Recovery for a Sustainable Electrified Future
Lithium is an essential element in energy-dense batteries and is a key ingredient for a low carbon future, but we do not currently produce enough to satisfy the rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage for the electricity grid. While lithium can be found abundantly around the globe it is not found in concentrated deposits, making lithium production challenging. In this month’s Midday Science Cafe, we will first hear from Dr. Michael Whittaker, an affiliate in UC Berkeley’s Department of Earth and Planetary Science, about how to efficiently produce lithium from dilute sources, such as those found in geothermal brines underneath the Salton Sea in southern California. Next, we will hear from Meg Slattery, PhD candidate at UC Davis and former Berkeley Lab affiliate, about the importance of community engagement in developing sustainable and equitable supply chains for new energy and transportation solutions.
Featuring:
Dr. Michael Whittaker
Research Affiliate
Earth and Planetary Science Department
UC Berkeley
Meg Slattery
PhD Candidate
Energy Systems, UC Davis
Former Affiliate, Berkeley Lab
Thursday, July 20, 2023 | 12 PM
Brought to you by UC Berkeley’s Science at Cal and Berkeley Lab’s Government & Community Relations Office, “Midday Science Cafe” is a virtual series that highlights compelling and complementary scientific research from both institutions.