Electrospun fiber cartridge for selective lithium extraction
This technology creates nano-scale fibers designed to selectively pull lithium out of water or brine. The fibers are made by electrospinning — a process that uses electric fields to draw polymer solutions into ultra-fine strands — and are embedded with a specialized mineral material called Layered Double Hydroxide that has a strong chemical affinity for lithium ions. The result is a high-surface-area, porous fiber mat that can capture lithium from dilute sources like seawater, geothermal brines, or battery recycling streams more efficiently than conventional granular sorbents. The fibrous format makes the material easier to handle, pack into filtration columns, and regenerate repeatedly compared to powder-based alternatives.
What you could build
A filtration media product — sold as rolls or cartridges of electrospun fiber mats — for lithium recovery systems targeting battery-grade lithium producers, geothermal energy companies running direct lithium extraction (DLE) pilots, or recyclers processing spent lithium-ion batteries. Primary buyers would be DLE technology developers and critical minerals processing companies.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense and energy supply chain companies in Virginia — particularly those supporting Navy or DoD critical minerals initiatives — as well as university spinouts working on battery recycling or water treatment would be plausible partners or licensees.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Wencai ZHANG, Yanan PAN
- Filed
- Patent pending — filed July 25, 2025
- Status
- Application
- Publication number
- US20260027545A1
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.