Powering technology

By Girish Linganna

IN SOUTHWEST Bolivia, high in the Andes Mountains, lies an enormous, shining white salt flat, called the ‘Salar de Uyuni’. It is very flat and looks like a giant mirror. Beneath this salt flat is an important alkali metal that is essential to power today’s technology. The Salar de Uyuni is located in the Lithium Triangle, an area that includes Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. This region has the largest reserves of lithium in the world, an important component of lithium-ion batteries. These batteries power electronic devices used by billions of people around the world. In 2022, the global lithium-ion battery market was worth $58.21 billion. It is expected to grow at an annual rate of 17.55% between 2023 and 2032, reaching an estimated value of US$293.24 billion in 2032. A major reason for using lithium-ion batteries is to power electric vehicles (EVs), which can help reduce our energy emissions. dependence on fossil fuels. They offer several advantages that make them more popular than other types of batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and are found in many items such as electric cars, smartphones, laptops and electric toothbrushes. Lithium’s small atomic weight and small radius are crucial to its role in battery technology, as these properties make the element both light and compact. Consequently, lithium can store a significant amount of energy in a relatively small space.

This property is essential for making lightweight, high-capacity batteries, making lithium an ideal material for the above applications. Lithium-ion batteries are critical for all electric cars, including Teslas, and require little maintenance because they don’t require a schedule to keep battery life stable. They also offer high energy density and voltage and can store energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind energy. As the battery discharges, the anode emits lithium ions toward the cathode, creating a flow of electrons between the two sides. When the device is charged, the process reverses: the cathode releases lithium ions that the anode absorbs. However, the production of electric cars, and especially the batteries, requires a significant amount of energy and resources. Given the emissions produced annually by the transportation sector, it is argued that these batteries justify the environmental costs. However, concerns remain about the impact on the planet and on human health. While lithium-ion batteries offer many benefits, they also pose environmental challenges. Although they support renewable energy and generate less CO2 emissions, there are still some negative aspects to consider. Mining lithium, which is needed for these batteries, is harmful to the environment.

This raises a difficult question: is it justified to damage and pollute the environment to extract minerals crucial to supporting the green economy? Engineers can extract lithium by drilling using underground salt water known as brine. Once the brine is brought to the surface, it is transferred to evaporation ponds. In these ponds, the water evaporates, leaving behind a concentrated form of lithium that can then be extracted. Nevertheless, reports from the Lithium Triangle paint a serious picture of the environmental damage caused by lithium mining. Each ton of lithium produced requires the evaporation of approximately 2 million liters of water. This excessive water use results in significant annual losses and poses a risk to underground freshwater reserves, which can become salinized if they come into contact with the brine. In the extremely arid areas of South America, where extensive mining takes place, water from local communities is diverted to support mining activities. This not only leads to water shortages, but also causes serious pollution problems due to the use of chemicals such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide.

Sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid are used in the extraction of lithium to separate lithium from other minerals found in the ore or brine. Community members have reported that mining activities have resulted in lower water levels in wells, lagoons, groundwater and wetlands, negatively impacting their farming and grazing practices. They have also noticed a higher mortality rate among flamingos and camelids due to dust pollution from the mines. Fire hazard: Lithium batteries are generally safe for residential and private use, provided they are free from defects. While incidents are rare, there have been cases of lithium-ion batteries catching fire, including a cell phone catching fire on a plane, Zheng Chen, professor of nanotechnology at the University of California San Diego, told National Geographic. Additionally, Tesla vehicles and a battery storage facility in Monterey, California, have also suffered fires. When a battery catches fire, it emits heat, pressure and toxic gases.

When there is wind, these gases can spread to nearby residential areas. This is worrying if there is no effective strategy to mitigate these risks. Chen tells National Geographic that there have also been cases of EVs catching fire in garages. Although such events are rare, they still occur. Chen believes it is impossible to completely eliminate all risks, noting that mechanical damage can occur unexpectedly. To reduce this risk, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends that consumers remove lithium-powered devices from the charger once they are fully charged and store them in dry, cool places. Additionally, they should check batteries for signs of damage and keep damaged batteries away from flammable materials, National Geographic states. (IPA)