Recently, scientists have discovered an answer to a long-standing puzzle: why is there an unusually high concentration of lithium in certain evolved stars? According to established models, the scorching plasma within stars should destroy this element. Lithium, a trace component on Earth, plays a crucial role in powering rechargeable batteries.
Sampling Method
The researchers focused their efforts on studying lithium in red giants, finding that barely 1% of sun-like red giants exhibit lithium-enriched surfaces. The method used in this research was called GALAH, named after a common Australian bird. This large-scale survey involved studying around half a million stars, all with clearly established physical and chemical properties, including their lithium abundances.
Discoveries from the Research
In the quest to find the true reasons behind the surplus production of lithium, scientists have ascertained for the first time that all lithium-rich stars undergo helium burning at their core. They suggested that lithium production may be tied to an event known as a violent helium-core flash. This process is thought to consist of a simple, brief series of nuclear reactions, where a collision between two stable helium isotopes results in a stable lithium isotope.
During the survey, the team highlighted the infrequent occurrence of lithium-rich giants in all low-mass stars similar to our Sun.
About Lithium
Lithium, represented as Li in the chemical periodic table, is a soft, silvery-white metal. Notably, it is both the lightest metal and the lightest solid element under normal conditions. Due to its highly reactive and flammable nature, it must be stored in mineral oil.
Given the rising demand for high-performance rechargeable batteries, lithium has essentially become the new ‘white gold’. Its escalating demand and soaring prices worldwide have escalated interest in the ‘lithium triangle’, an area covering parts of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.
Applications of Lithium
Lithium metal has various applications. It can be used together with lead to produce ‘white metal’ bearings for engine motors, or combined with aluminum to manufacture aircraft parts. When mixed with magnesium, it forms armor plating.
This versatile metal plays a role in thermonuclear reactions and is used to produce electrochemical cells. It is also a vital ingredient in electric vehicles and laptops.
Leading Countries in Lithium Reserve
The countries with the largest lithium reserves are Chile, Australia, and Argentina, respectively.
Lithium in India
Within India, researchers from the Atomic Minerals Directorate, operating under the Atomic Energy Commission, have identified lithium reserves totaling 14,100 tonnes in southern Karnataka’s Mandya district.
There’s potential for additional lithium sites in several regions of the country. These include the major mica belts in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh, pegmatite (igneous rocks) belts in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and brine areas in Sambhar and Pachpadra in Rajasthan, and Rann of Kachchh in Gujarat.
Government Initiative Concerning Lithium
The Indian government has shown its interest in lithium exploration via Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, a state-owned company. It has entered into an agreement with an Argentinian company to jointly prospect lithium in Argentina. Khanij Bidesh India Ltd is explicitly tasked with obtaining strategic mineral assets like lithium and cobalt from foreign countries.