Sometimes our political system can quickly act.  Diane Feinstein's funeral is still to come, and   Laphonza Butler was yesterday sworn in as the newest member of the U.S. Senate .  Now, if New Jersey can act decisively, there can be another new senator. Then there is that other side of Congress, where the  Republicans are in turmoil .  In this transition, Rep. Patrick McHenry is their transition leader, but that is only to lead their party to a new speaker.  You would think that the current #2 Rep. Steve Scalise would be the logical candidate, but people like  Rep. Jim Jordan are among a bunch positioning themselves for this role .  Perhaps next week the House might vote on the next speaker. If you think Republicans are in trouble, across the Atlantic, Britain's Conservatives are also headed for doom.  They have their fifth leader in six years with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.  Well, he has lost control, and  all polls project that their 14 years of control will be terminated by

I yesterday posted on the 17 rare earth materials.  So let me expand the discussion to another element,   lithium , which is especially crucial for electric vehicles and batteries.  I begin with an introduction to lithium. It is the lightest metal with an atomic number of 3, and was originally created like hydrogen and helium at the time of the Big Bang. First isolated in 1855. Is a shiny, silvery metal at room temperature with a melting point of 357 F, and can be cut with scissors. Lithium powder or dust can spontaneously ignite. Lithium floats in water and forms lithium hydroxide and hydrogen, which typically burst into a red flame. Between 2008 and 2018 the annual production rose from 25,400 to 85,000 tons.  Demand will more than double by 2024. Most of this element is used for batteries, but also for the glass and ceramics industry. In 2010 77% of all lithium went to glass and ceramics. In 2020 71% of lithium was for batteries. Note that the correct name is the  lithium-ion battery

First, about that 6th House January 6 Committee hearing yesterday, Cassidy Hutchinson's performance accelerated the doom of Donald Trump.  General conclusions on the morning after is that she broke the ice towards the formal indictment of the former president by the Department of Justice.  Congress is having trouble subpoenaing members and close aides of the White House.   The attorney general has stronger and more compelling powers to force testimony.   One problem I see is that this campaign to secure victories for Democrats on November 8  is now moving too fast.  The Perfect Political Storm ( upcoming posting ) of abortion/gun rights, future of democracy and Trump effect needs to reach a peak in September into October to maximize victory.  The Department of Justice moves so slowly anyway, that perhaps it has been calculated into the final strategy. I get a weekly newsletter from the  American Energy Society , which is the U.S. affiliate of the International Solar Energy Society.