Discover the past and present of lithium Enter the Lithium Science Classroom.

Energy is at the heart of the climate challenge and the key to solving it. Research shows that achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions globally by 2050 is an important goal in order to reduce the impacts of climate change. Achieving this goal will require all of humanity to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and explore clean, safe and sustainable alternative energy sources.

Since the opening of the "New Energy Talents" programme supported by Tianqi Lithium Company Limited (hereinafter referred to as "Tianqi Lithium"), 20 Chilean students have travelled to China with questions and thoughts. They come to China, they study hard and communicate actively, trying to use their own efforts to bring China and Chile closer at the junction of the transformation of the world's energy structure.

Date: 15th October

Venue: Chengdu Headquarters of Tianqi Lithium company

The first stop of the Chilean students' extracurricular study tour was Tianqi Lithium. 15 October, the Chilean students set off early from Sichuan University, and on the way, they were all excited because the teacher in charge of the tour told them that they would meet an important guest today.

Camila from Catholic University of Chile,  a PhD in engineering, said, "As the bus was approaching Tianqi Lithium, we were fascinated by the building that looked like a giant lithium ore, and all the students were very excited when we were later told that the building was the Li Science Museum!"

At the Li Science Museum, the Chilean students learnt about the "past life" and future prospects of lithium. Afterwards, as the first batch of students of Tianqi Lithium Institute of Sustainable Development, they also entered the lithium science classroom.

"The Sustainability Academy instructor was sharing with us the important role of lithium in a net-zero future when there was a sudden burst of cheering from outside, and I immediately turned around and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure!" Camila recalls.

The President of Chile, Mr Borich, walked into the Lithium Science classroom and sat in a circle with the travelling students present to share their thoughts. Camila, one of the students, said, "This is the first time I've met the President face-to-face, and I can't believe it's in China! President Borich hopes that we can cherish this opportunity and bring advanced technology and knowledge back to Chile."

"Chengdu Bashi! Tianqi Bashi!" Fernanda, another student traveller, told the group, "Can you believe Mr. President learnt Sichuanese with us? This may also be the Chinese language I will never forget!" After the President left, the travelling students continued their studies, learning more about the use of lithium in various industrial sectors.

Camila would finish her PhD studies on mechanics and metallurgy soon, "I've learnt a lot today, and it's no exaggeration to say that Lithium is used in everything, powering 3C devices, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. In addition, Lithium and its compounds play an important role in medicine, the metallurgical industry, glass manufacturing, aerospace and aviation. I really love this Lithium Science Museum so much! Not only because I met Mr. President here, but seriously, it inspired me to think a lot about my PhD thesis."