Ultrasonic Process for Selective Extraction of Lithium and Magnesium From Suitable Geological Precursors and Alkaline Indust (Case No. 2022-135)

Summary

UCLA researchers have developed new methods for designing and synthesizing inorganic porous materials and extracting valuable metal ions from natural and waste sources. The first technology uses metal cations as inorganic structure-directing agents to control the formation of zeolite (phillipsite) and silicate hydrate (tobermorite) phases without organic templates. The second technology introduces apparatuses and methods for lithium, calcium, and magnesium extraction using mechanically or ultrasonically enhanced leaching systems. Together, these advances offer scalable, sustainable pathways to produce functional materials and recover critical resources.

Background

Zeolites and silicate hydrates are important for adsorption, catalysis, and cementitious applications, but current synthesis often relies on costly or environmentally unfriendly organic templates. Meanwhile, rising demand for lithium, calcium, and magnesium outpaces supply, with conventional extraction from brines and ores being energy-intensive and inefficient. There is a pressing need for sustainable, low-cost methods both to synthesize functional porous materials and to extract and recover critical mineral resources from geological and waste feedstocks.

Innovation

1. Template-Free Material Synthesis: By varying the type and ratio of inorganic cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺) in hydrothermal synthesis gels, researchers can direct whether phillipsite zeolite or tobermorite hydrate crystallizes. This method achieves tunable porosity and framework topology without organic structure-directing agents, simplifying synthesis and improving scalability.

2. Metal Ion Extraction: A scalable leaching system integrates tanks, flow controls, and agitation methods (mechanical and ultrasonic) to enhance extraction efficiency and selectivity for lithium, calcium, and magnesium. Feedstocks include ores as well as alkaline industrial waste streams, turning under-utilized materials into valuable resources.

Advantages

• Sustainable synthesis: Eliminates organic templates, lowering cost and environmental impact.

• Phase control: Ability to direct phillipsite vs tobermorite formation by tuning metal cations.

• Tailored porosity: Adjustable micropore volume and crystallinity for specific end uses.

• Efficient extraction: Mechanical/ultrasonic agitation boosts ion recovery yield.

• Versatile feedstocks: Applicable to both natural ores and industrial waste residues.

• Critical resource recovery: Supports secure lithium, calcium, and magnesium supply chains.

• Scalable processes: Compatible with industrial-scale material production and metal extraction.

Potential Applications

• Water purification and ion exchange using zeolite phases.

• Sustainable building materials leveraging tobermorite’s cementitious properties.

• Industrial catalysis with tailored zeolite/silicate frameworks.

• Environmental technologies for CO₂ capture and pollutant removal.

• Lithium extraction for batteries and energy storage supply chains.

• Recovery of calcium and magnesium for industrial and agricultural uses.

• Valorization of industrial waste into valuable resources instead of landfilling.

Patents

• US 2023/0391631 A1 — Metal Cations as Inorganic Structure-Directing Agents during the Synthesis of Phillipsite and Tobermorite

• US 2025/0154624 A1 — Apparatus and Methods for Lithium, Calcium, and Magnesium Extraction

Publications by the Inventors (Related Work)

• Vega-Vila, J. C.; Holkar, A.; Arnold, R. A.; Prentice, D. P.; Dong, S.; Tang, L.; La Plante, E. C.; Ellison, K.; Kumar, A.; Bauchy, M.; Srivastava, S.; Sant, G.; Simonetti, D. Metal cations as inorganic structure-directing agents during the synthesis of phillipsite and tobermorite. Reaction Chemistry & Engineering, 2023, 8(5), 1176-1184. DOI: 10.1039/D2RE00466F