Licube is applying membrane-based electrolyzer technology to enrich lithium-6 to 99.995% purity.
This process addresses the isotope separation challenge inherent in natural lithium, aiming to support future tritium breeding for fusion reactors.
In addition to potential fusion applications, the company is targeting the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries.
We look at the membrane-based electrochemical approach the startup is using to solve this separation problem.
The solution is for plants to produce their own tritium in-house. A layer of lithium is placed around the reactor, which is hit by particles released during fusion, producing tritium that can be collected and reused as fuel.
What is the difference between the forms of lithium?
Not all lithium does this job equally well. In nature, we find two forms: lithium-6 and lithium-7. Lithium-6 is much more efficient at producing tritium, but it only makes up 7,5% of natural lithium. Today, separating the two forms is a difficult process.
That's where a new company called Licube comes in, based on technology licensed from Hirosaki University in Japan. The technology uses a special device with an electric current and a ceramic membrane to purify lithium-6, aiming to reach 99,995% purity.
Where will pure lithium be used?
Licube CEO and co-founder Yohei Kiguchi was inspired to start the company after a visit to ITER, an experimental fusion reactor being built in southern France. Kiguchi estimates that if the fusion market develops, the value of lithium-6 could reach $50 billion by 2040.
Until fusion becomes a reality, the company plans to purify lithium for other industries, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, traditional nuclear reactors and aerospace. Licube is also among 20 startups showcasing on stage at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco.
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