2012年2月6日星期一

Argentina produced lithium battery science Cordoba

In October, the country will develop this technology on an industrial scale. Scientists at the UNC lead the ambitious project.

Lithium is the gold in the coming decades. Computers, cell phones, used cars, and used batteries in this metal.

Argentina has the raw materials in the salt mines of the Puna. It has the world's third largest reserves. Cordoba has the knowledge to transform it into batteries.

"The province will be the great center of the development of lithium battery in the country along with La Plata," says Daniel Barraco, researcher and physicist who coordinates the research and development project for the production of batteries.

The group consists of researchers from the faculties of Mathematics, Astronomy and Physics and Chemical Science, National University of Cordoba, and the Universidad Nacional de La Plata and the National Atomic Energy Commission.

It also intervenes Sol.ar fledgling company, which has capital of Cordoba. The lithium-ion battery will be produced in the provinces where the lithium is extracted (Jujuy, Salta and Catamarca). The electronics could be produced in Cordoba.

"In October approved will produce batteries for notebooks. In four years will produce batteries for cars, "said Barraco.

The project has strong momentum of the National Government. Involved the Ministries of Industry, Science and Economics.

Already begun the process to buy a plant to produce batteries. "What was done in the laboratory is the lithium battery pack for PC or phone. This means that we cathode, anode and electrolyte, "said Barraco.

Of lithium of the salars must be obtained lithium carbonate to 99 percent concentration. Then perform the different pastas that go into the batteries.

Purification

In October, domestic batteries will be produced with purchased pulp. Next year is expected to produce pasta in Argentina and later obtained the lithium concentration in the salt mines of the Puna. This is another project to build a pilot plant for purification.

The brine ton costs 300 dollars a tonne of lithium carbonate concentrate, six thousand dollars. A car battery 10 kilos, 10 thousand dollars. "In 2020 there will be 200 million cars on batteries. It is a multimillion dollar business, "said Barraco.

He adds: "The idea is to develop a clean technology that allows us to understand the processes of remediation after extraction. It also offers insight into the price control to collect royalties from foreign companies. "

While lithium extraction has less environmental impact as gold, the goal is to avoid what happens to this activity, which pays royalties low and fails to remedy the sites after the operation.

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