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

                                         From  Worldometer  (new  COVID-19 deaths yesterday):          DAY    USA    WORLD     Brazil      India      South Africa June     9    1093     4732         1185        246       82 July    22     1205     7128         1293      1120     572 Aug    12     1504     6556        1242        835     130 Sept     9     1208      6222       1136       1168       82 Oct     21     1225      6849         571        703       85 Nov    25      2304    12025        620        518      118 Dec     30      3880    14748       1224       299      465 Jan      14       4142     15512        1151        189      712                  Feb      3       4005    14265       1209       107      398 Mar     2        1989      9490        1726       110      194 April   6          906     11787         4211       631       37 May    4         853     13667         3025     3786      59   June   1         287    10637         2346      3205       95  July   7