Lithium

After the dizzying and elongated period of partying between HYDROGEN and HELIUM comes LITHIUM.

It’s used in the form of LITHIUM CARBONATE to even out the manic highs and depressive lows in mood associated with bipolar disorder.

It is also used as a different kind of lubricant, working well at high-temperatures as LITHIUM grease for high performance engines.

LITHIUM has also come to replace NICKEL-CADMIUM in batteries as it is less harmful to the environment. These have become very popular for high-power devices such as computer laptops.

Lithium does not occur free in nature, but is found combined in small amounts in nearly all igneous rocks and in the waters of many mineral springs.

The metal is priced at about US$300/lb.