THE CATALYST

The San Francisco-based startup, Aether, is revolutionizing the lithium extraction industry by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), nano-engineering, and biology. The company has raised $49 million in 2023 in Series A round led by Natural Capital and Unless to scale its AI-driven lithium extraction and rare metal mining.

Aether’s technology utilizes molecular assemblers, a combination of synthetic biology and machine learning, to extract lithium in the most efficient way, including from sources that were previously inaccessible due to low lithium concentrations. These molecular assemblers are introduced to a brine where they bond only to specified metal atoms, regardless of the concentration, and release them into a new solution. This process eliminates the need for extensive infrastructure, replacing it with portable, modular shipping containers for refining and extraction.

The company’s technology is not only innovative but will also minimize environmental impacts. Current lithium extraction techniques, such as open-pit mining or evaporation ponds, require high lithium concentrations to be commercially viable and also use vast amounts of land and water. In contrast, Aether’s process will use less water than the amounts required in evaporation ponds used in places like South America’s Lithium Triangle.

Aether’s initial focus is on lithium extraction but according to the company’s CEO, their technology can also help mine rare earth metals and other critical minerals from previously inaccessible reserves.

In summary, Aether’s use of AI and synthetic biology to extract lithium represents a significant technological advancement in the mining industry. It not only opens up previously inaccessible lithium reserves but also does so in a more environmentally friendly and efficient manner compared to the decades old existing options that have caused environmental issues globally. As the demand for lithium and other rare metals continues to grow, particularly for use in electric vehicle batteries and other high-tech applications, innovations like those being developed by Aether will be increasingly important.

Author: Mohamed Hersi, Licensed Environmental Engineer (P.E.)