The Joint International Laboratory for Potassium and Lithium Strategic Resources (JIL-PLSR) was established in 2020 with the approval of Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission. It is hosted by East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST). The JIL-PLSR addresses China’s strategic priorities for the resource utilization of potassium and lithium. The laboratory also supports the Belt and Road Initiative by pioneering innovative technologies and equipment for salt lake resource development. It has grown into a world-class platform for R&D, engineering validation, technology transfer, and talent development, extending its technological influence to Southeast Asia, Argentina, Uganda, etc.
Research Focus
Advanced Separation Materials and Technologies for Complex Systems;
Molten Salt Electrochemical Engineering and Technologies;
Preparation of Inorganic Functional Materials and Materials Chemistry.
Achievements
Completed/ongoing projects: 90+ national and international projects, including:
National Key R&D Program;
National 863 Program;
National Natural Science Foundation Key Projects;
Industry collaborations.
Publications: 500+ high-impact research papers.
Intellectual property: 120+ authorized/applied national invention patents.
Awards:
2 National Science and Technology Progress Awards (Second Class);
2 Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Awards (First Class)
1 Qinghai Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award (First Class);
1 China Nonferrous Metals Industry Science and Technology Award (First Class);
Multiple provincial/ministerial-level second-class awards
Facilities
Equipped with 300+ advanced experimental setups and instruments, the laboratory boasts cutting-edge platforms for:
Complex material separation;
Design and preparation of novel functional separation materials;
Computational chemistry and process simulation;
Analytical testing.
Key Promotable Technologies
Integrated Technology and Equipment for Comprehensive Utilization of Brine and Sylvinite Potassium Resources;
Preparation and Shaping Technologies for High-Performance Aluminum/Titanium/Manganese-Based Lithium Adsorbents;
High-COD High-Salinity Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Technology;
Efficient Lithium Extraction Technology for Ultra-Low Concentration Brine or Lithium-Containing Wastewater;
Integrated Technology for High-Performance Ion-Exchange Membrane Preparation;
Selective Lithium Extraction via Valence-State-Regulated 3D Lithium-Ion Channels;
Lithium Extraction from Brine Using Solvent Extraction and Tower-Style Equipment.
