The cost of lithium has increased almost tenfold since 2020, and Elon Musk recently called the metal “the new oil.” Cutting the cost of batteries would not only lead to massive savings but also enable a smoother transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Many alternative battery technologies are being investigated, but so far, none have replaced lithium as the main ingredient of choice. Now, scientists at Arizona State University have proposed taking a different approach: Instead of replacing lithium, they’re diluting it with sodium. Sodium is readily available and abundant as sodium chloride (salt) in seawater, potentially easing the financial and environmental burden of lithium.

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