One World Lithium Inc. (CSE: OWLI) has announced a new research and development engagement with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of California, Irvine (UCI) to accelerate work on its Direct Lithium Carbonate Extraction (DLCE) technology. The collaboration also includes Moleaer Inc., the global leader in nanobubble technology, which is assembling two Nanobubble Generators for shipment to the universities, along with additional equipment required to continue DLCE test work. The equipment is expected to be delivered within six to eight weeks for setup in the two labs.
The primary goal of this phase is to advance toward pilot-scale development. A statement of work has been completed outlining the focus of the research. The first phase involves continued validation and optimization of the DLCE process, which uses a nanobubble extraction process with carbon dioxide to separate lithium from brines. The objective is to advance toward the design and construction of a pilot plant for field testing, with the pilot system intended to demonstrate the potential for direct production of lithium carbonate from natural brines.
In parallel, UBC and UCI will evaluate the potential recovery or co-production of additional industrial carbonates from brine, including sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. If successfully recovered at scale, these materials could represent incremental revenue streams and improve overall project economics.
The second phase of laboratory work will focus on lithium clay to create an effective lithium slurry to validate the DLCE technology for producing lithium carbonate from clay slurry under various conditions. This process would enable lithium carbonate generation directly from slurries made from clays, without requiring sulfuric acids, soda ash, sorbents, and multiple concentration steps.
At UBC, the team will be led by Dr. Alex Tavasoli, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Tavasoli, who received her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral training at MIT, will oversee the design and fabrication of testing facilities for lithium carbonate and other metal extraction using OWL's proprietary CO2 nanobubble extraction processes. Her research group, the Laboratory of Future Industry (LoFI), focuses on the design, optimization, scale-up, and commercialization of novel sustainable industrial production processes.
At UCI, the team will be led by Dr. James Earthman, a professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Earthman, who holds degrees from Rice University and Stanford University, has extensive experience in nanobubble research and management of materials using nanobubbles. He is an inventor on 16 issued US patents and was elected Fellow of ASM International in 2023. He will also oversee the design and fabrication of testing facilities for the extraction processes.
Doug Fulcher, President and CEO of One World Lithium, commented: "We are extremely pleased to have such a talented team working with us in advancing OWL's DLCE technology. We believe that under the direct supervision of Dr. Earthman and Dr. Tavasoli, alongside the expertise of Moleaer's nanobubble team, we are in a position to fast track our DLCE process for lithium and other critical mineral extraction from brine and complete the construction of a container size test plant in a timely manner."
Unlike traditional methods that typically produce lithium intermediates requiring additional downstream chemical processing to generate lithium carbonate, OWL's objective is to produce lithium carbonate directly in a single-step process. By integrating carbon dioxide in the separation chemistry and minimizing chemical inputs and concentration stages, the company expects, subject to further testing, reduced environmental impacts, lower capital and operating costs, and potential carbon credit opportunities pending pilot validation.
For more information about One World Lithium, visit https://oneworldlithium.com/.
