What is lithium?

Wednesday, 8th April 2009 11:53 - by Didedo

I must confess that until recently I had not given lithium a great deal of thought. I knew that it was in some batteries but that was about it. However, it had stuck in my mind for a number of reasons: 1. Quantum of Solace…well, all right…Daniel Craig! 2. I’m sure I have seen it mentioned on the boards of lse.co.uk (any help on this Blog from someone knowledgeable on lithium would be appreciated). This weekend there was a long article in a newspaper magazine, so I thought it might be worthy of more investigation. It is seen as a requirement should ‘green’ battery-powered cars be the future, and it is also in everyday electronic items such as mobile phones and other hand-held devices. So what exactly is it? Lithium (Li) is an alkali metal and is a slivery-white/grey colour (it changes colour when exposed to the air as it oxidises). It is mixed (alloyed) with aluminium and magnesium for light-weight alloys and, apart from batteries, it is used in some greases, glasses and medicine. The biggest producer of lithium is Chile, but it is also mined in other countries such as Canada and America. However, over fifty percent of the world’s lithium is found in Bolivia beneath the salt plains - a ‘man who fell to earth’ landscape which is visible from space. Lithium is seen as a ‘green’ imperative, but it seems there is some cost to the environment; not least the destruction of the salt plains themselves. Do you remember certain presenters of a motoring programme who had their wrists slapped for driving across salt plains in Botswana? There have been a number of breakthroughs with lithium batteries, for example increasing their energy capacity. Perhaps even more significantly, researchers have just announced they have utilised a live virus, via genetic engineering, to enhance battery performance by creating a powerful mini electrode. What an amazing world we live in! Here are some interesting links: o Chrysler has announced the company they are going to use for lithium-ion battery cells. http://bit.ly/3Qtrxd o The salt flats of Bolivia. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7607624.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7707847.stm So what do you all think about lithium? Is it worth a look and is it, as is claimed, an upcoming commodity or does the current supply meet demand?