Princeton University Engineering School researchers have developed a new approach that slashes the land and time needed to extract lithium from brine, which could dramatically expand access to the critical mineral. The researchers say their system can improve production at existing lithium facilities and unlock sources previously seen as too small or diluted to be worthwhile. Today producing the silvery-white metal comes with significant environmental costs. Among them is the vast amount of land and time needed to extract lithium from briny water,…