Meet John Liu, the student who used corn stalks to recover lithium from water
John Liu has pioneered a remarkable project that utilizes agricultural byproducts like corn stalks and wheat straw to innovate lithium recovery methods. His technique leverages plant-based scaffolds to effectively concentrate lithium from dilute brines. Through his groundbreaking work, Liu garnered accolades at both state and international science fairs, showcasing a sustainable pathway for…
John Liu, a high school student from St. Paul, Minnesota, has developed an innovative method for recovering lithium from dilute sources using corn stalks and wheat straw. The project, titled "Passive Capillary-Evaporative Lithium Pre-Concentration from Dilute Brines Using Functionalized Corn Stalk Pith and Wheat Straw Scaffolds," focused on turning agricultural waste into functional materials.
The research combines the ability of plant-based structures to transport liquids through small spaces with evaporation to increase lithium concentration in dilute solutions. This approach addresses the challenge of efficiently separating lithium from large volumes of water, which is crucial for modern energy technology. Liu's work, which aimed to create a more cost-effective lithium recovery method, won him a Gold Award at the 2026 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair and a Gold Award at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
This project was recognized as one of the top high-school projects in Minnesota and earned him a second-place finish at the International Science and Engineering Fair, along with the Chief of Naval Research Scholarship Award.
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