Startup Licube Aims to Supply Purified Lithium-6 for Fusion Power Plants

Startup Licube has licensed technology from Japan's Hirosaki University to purify lithium-6 from natural lithium to serve the emerging fusion power industry. Fusion power plants require lithium blankets surrounding reactors to capture fast-moving neutrons and generate rare tritium fuel. Because lithium-6 makes up only about 7.5% of natural lithium and is difficult to separate, Licube targets a potential $50 billion market by 2040. Until fusion becomes mainstream, Licube plans to apply its ceramic membrane electrolyzer technology to purify lithium for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, fission reactors, and spacecraft.

Editor's note: Excellent density; the brief covers the technology, the market potential, and the interim business strategy within the word limit.