One World Lithium Partners with UBC, UCI, and Moleaer to Pilot DLCE Technology

One World Lithium Inc. (CSE-OWLI) is accelerating its Direct Lithium Carbonation Extraction (DLCE) technology by partnering with the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of California, Irvine (UCI), and Moleaer Inc., the global leader in nanobubble technology. The collaboration aims to advance a single-step process that uses carbon dioxide nanobubbles to extract lithium directly from brines and clay slurries, potentially eliminating the need for sulfuric acids, soda ash, and multiple concentration steps. Moleaer is assembling two Nanobubble Generators for delivery within 6-8 weeks to UBC and UCI labs, where researchers will optimize the DLCE process and work toward designing a containerized pilot plant for field testing.

The UBC team, led by Dr. Alex Tavasoli—an assistant professor with a PhD from the University of Toronto and postdoctoral training at MIT—will focus on extracting lithium carbonate and other metals from brine. Her research group, the Laboratory of Future Industry (LoFI), specializes in sustainable industrial processes. At UCI, Professor James Earthman, a Fellow of ASM International with 16 issued US patents, will oversee similar testing. Earthman’s expertise in nanobubbles, honed through his role as co-founder of Perimetrics, Inc., complements Tavasoli’s chemical engineering background. Together with Moleaer’s nanobubble team, they aim to fast-track the DLCE technology toward a pilot plant, as outlined in the NEWMEDIAWIRE release.

The R&D work will also evaluate co-production of industrial carbonates (sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium) from brine, which could generate incremental revenue streams. President and CEO Doug Fulcher expressed confidence in the team’s ability to advance DLCE, stating that the process offers reduced environmental impacts and potential carbon credit opportunities. By integrating CO2 in separation chemistry and minimizing chemical inputs, OWL expects lower capital and operating costs compared to traditional methods. The company’s vision is to produce lithium carbonate directly in a single step, a breakthrough that could reshape lithium extraction from brines and clays. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.