# US 2025/0154624 A1 · Apparatus and methods for lithium, calcium, and magnesium extraction > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0154624 A1 - Document ID: US20250154624A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/838,902 - Filed: 2023-02-15 - Published: 2025-05-15 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-16 - Assignees: The Regents of the University of California; UT-Battelle, LLC - Applicants: The Regents of the University of California; Ut-Battelle, LLC - Inventors: Gaurav Sant; Ross Arnold; Mathieu Bauchy; Dante Simonetti; Xin Chen; David Jassby; Lawrence Anovitz; Elena Tajuelo Rodriguez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250154624A1 ## CPC - B06B 1/00: Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency - C22B 3/22: by physical processes, e.g. by filtration, by magnetic means {, or by thermal decomposition} (treatment or purification of solutions by liquid-liquid extraction C22B3/26) - B01D 11/0257: {using mixing mechanisms, e.g. stirrers, jets (B01D11/0242 takes precedence)} - B01D 11/0265: {Applying ultrasound} - B01D 11/028: {Flow sheets} - B06B 1/0269: {for generating multiple frequencies} - C22B 3/02: Apparatus therefor - C22B 3/06: in inorganic acid solutions {, e.g. with acids generated in situ; in inorganic salt solutions other than ammonium salt solutions} - C22B 3/12: in inorganic alkaline solutions - C22B 3/16: in organic solutions - C22B 3/165: {with organic acids} - C22B 7/006: {Wet processes} - C22B 26/12: Obtaining lithium - C22B 26/20: Obtaining alkaline earth metals or magnesium - C22B 26/22: Obtaining magnesium - Y02P 10/20: Recycling - B06B: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, {e.g.} FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL (for particular applications, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. B07B1/40, B23Q17/12, B24B31/06; measurement of mechanical vibrations G01H; in direction finding, locating, distance or velocity measuring G01S; {generating seismic energy G01V1/02}; control of mechanical vibrations in general G05D; sound-producing devices, e.g. bells, sirens, whistles G10K, {e.g. methods or devices for transmitting, conducting, or directing sound in general G10K11/00}; generation of electrical oscillations H03B; electromechanical resonators in general H03H; electromechanical transducers {for communication techniques, e.g. microphones, speakers} H04R) - C22B: PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS (electrolytic C25); PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract Provided herein are assemblies and methods for lithium, magnesium, and/or calcium extraction. In various embodiments, an assembly includes a leaching tank defining an interior chamber having one or more inlets and one or more outlets. The leaching tank is configured to receive through the one or more inlets a mixture comprising a substrate having one or more target metals and a solvent. The assembly further includes a sonic probe positioned within the interior chamber, suspended in the solution, and/or a sonic plate configured to provide sonic energy to the mixture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of selectively extracting one or more target elements from a mixture, the method comprising: combining, in a leaching tank, a solid substrate comprising the one or more target elements and a solvent to thereby form the mixture; applying acoustic energy to the mixture to thereby separate the one or more target species from non-target materials; outputting the one or more target metals in a target species-rich stream. ### Claim 2 A method of selectively extracting one or more target metals from a mixture, the method comprising: combining, in a leaching tank, a solid substrate comprising the one or more target metals a solvent and to thereby form the mixture; applying sonic energy to the mixture to thereby separate the one or more target metals from non-target materials; outputting the one or more target metals in a target metal-rich stream. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising outputting the non-target materials. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the target metal-rich stream is output in a first outlet and the non-target materials are output in a second outlet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4) The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein leaching tank further comprises a stirring device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as a batch reactor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as continuous stirred tank reactor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as a plug-flow reactor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as a continuous flow reactor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as a fixed-bed reactor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as a fluidized-bed reactor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate in series (e.g., with one or more other leaching reactors). ### Claim 13 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate in parallel (e.g., with one or more other leaching reactors). ### Claim 14 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) The method of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the one or more target metals comprise one or more alkali metals or one or more alkaline earth metals. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more alkali metals comprise lithium. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14, 15) The method of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the one or more alkaline earth metals comprise magnesium. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14, 15, 16) The method of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the one or more alkaline earth metals comprise calcium. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the acoustic energy is applied via a sonic probe extending into the mixture. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the sonic energy is applied via a sonic probe extending into the mixture. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18, 19) The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the mixture is flowing. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) The method of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the acoustic energy is applied via a sonic plate in contact with the leaching tank. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) The method of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the sonic energy is applied via a sonic plate in contact with the leaching tank. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) The method of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the acoustic probe is configured to provide acoustic energy at different frequencies (and amplitudes) that may represent one or more resonant frequencies of the solid substrate comprising the target metal. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) The method of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the sonic probe is configured to provide sonic energy at one or more resonant frequencies of the solid substrate comprising the target metal. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the sonic energy has a frequency of about 18 kHz to about 2 MHz. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 2 Hz to about 200 MHz. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1 Mhz. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.1 Mhz. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.2 Mhz. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.3 Mhz. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.4 Mhz. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.5 Mhz. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.6 Mhz. ### Claim 34 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.7 Mhz. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.8 Mhz. ### Claim 36 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.9 Mhz. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 2 Mhz. ### Claim 38 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 3 Mhz. ### Claim 39 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 4 Mhz. ### Claim 40 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 5 Mhz. ### Claim 41 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 6 Mhz. ### Claim 42 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 7 Mhz. ### Claim 43 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 8 Mhz. ### Claim 44 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 9 Mhz. ### Claim 45 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 10 Mhz. ### Claim 46 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 11 Mhz. ### Claim 47 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 12 Mhz. ### Claim 48 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 13 Mhz. ### Claim 49 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 14 Mhz. ### Claim 50 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 15 Mhz. ### Claim 51 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50) The method of any one of claims 1 to 50, wherein the substrate comprises particles having a median diameter of 5 micrometers to about 50 mm. ### Claim 52 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51) The method of any one of claims 1 to 51, wherein the substrate comprises particles having a median diameter of 0.5 nm to about 5 mm. ### Claim 53 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51) The method of any one of claims 1 to 51, wherein the substrate comprises particles having a median diameter of 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. ### Claim 54 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53) The method of any one of claims 1 to 53, wherein the solvent is an aqueous solvent. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The method of claim 54, wherein the solvent is water. ### Claim 56 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53) The method of any one of claims 1 to 53, wherein the solvent comprises at least one of: methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, pentane, hexane, benzene, toluene, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, polyethylene glycol, hydrogen peroxide, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 57 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53) The method of any one of claims 1 to 53, wherein the solvent comprises a mixture of a base and water. ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The method of claim 57, wherein the base is a hydroxide. ### Claim 59 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53) The method of any one of claims 1 to 53, wherein the solvent comprises a mixture of a mineral acid and water. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The method of claim 59, wherein the mineral acid is selected from: hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, boric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid, and sulfuric acid. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59, 60) The method of claim 59 or claim 60, wherein a concentration of the mineral acid in the mixture is up to about 1 mol/L. ### Claim 62 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53) The method of any one of claims 1 to 53, wherein the solvent comprises a mixture of an organic acid and water. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) The method of claim 62, wherein the organic acid is selected from: acetic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, carbonic acid, and citric acid. ### Claim 64 (depends on 62, 63) The method of claim 62 or claim 63, wherein a concentration of the organic acid in the mixture is up to about 20 mol/L. ### Claim 65 (depends on 62, 63) The method of claim 62 or claim 63, wherein a concentration of the organic acid in the mixture is up to about 1 mol/L. ### Claim 66 (depends on 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) The method of any one of claims 54 to 65, wherein the pH of the mixture is about 0 to about 14. ### Claim 67 (depends on 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) The method of any one of claims 59 to 66, wherein the pH of the mixture is about 0 to about 7. ### Claim 68 (depends on 54, 55, 56, 57, 58) The method of any one of claims 54 to 58, wherein the pH of the mixture is about 7 to about 14. ### Claim 69 (depends on 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) The method of any one of claims 59 to 66, wherein the solvent has a pH of about 0.5 to about 13.5. ### Claim 70 (depends on 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) The method of any one of claims 59 to 66, wherein the solvent has a pH of about 5.5 to about 8.5. ### Claim 71 An assembly comprising: a leaching tank defining an interior chamber having one or more inlets and one or more outlets, wherein the leaching tank is configured to receive through the one or more inlets a mixture comprising a substrate having one or more target metals and a solvent; and an acoustic probe positioned within the interior chamber and configured to provide acoustic energy to the mixture, an acoustic plate in contact with the leaching tank and configured to provide acoustic energy to the mixture, or both the sonic probe and the sonic plate, and including flowing/suspended acoustic probes. ### Claim 72 An assembly comprising: a leaching tank defining an interior chamber having one or more inlets and one or more outlets, wherein the leaching tank is configured to receive through the one or more inlets a mixture comprising a substrate having one or more target metals and a solvent; and a sonic probe positioned within the interior chamber and configured to provide sonic energy to the mixture, a sonic plate in contact with the leaching tank and configured to provide sonic energy to the mixture, or both the sonic probe and the sonic plate. ### Claim 73 (depends on 71) The assembly of claim 71 or 71, wherein the one or more inlets comprise a solvent inlet. ### Claim 74 (depends on 71, 72, 73) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 73, wherein the one or more inlets comprise a substrate inlet. ### Claim 75 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 74, wherein the one or more outlets comprise a target metal-rich stream. ### Claim 76 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 75, wherein the one or more outlets comprise a spent solids outlet. ### Claim 77 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 76, wherein the leaching tank further comprises a stirring device. ### Claim 78 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 77, wherein the assembly comprises the sonic probe. ### Claim 79 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 78, wherein the assembly comprises the sonic plate. ### Claim 80 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 79, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as a batch reactor. ### Claim 81 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 79, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as a plug-flow reactor. ### Claim 82 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 79, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as a continuous flow reactor. ### Claim 83 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 79, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as a fixed-bed reactor. ### Claim 84 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 79, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as a fluidized-bed reactor. ### Claim 85 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 79, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate as continuous stirred tank reactor. ### Claim 86 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 85, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate in series (e.g., with one or more other leaching reactors). ### Claim 87 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 85, wherein the leaching tank is configured to operate in parallel (e.g., with one or more other leaching reactors). ### Claim 88 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 87, wherein the one or more target metals comprise one or more alkali metals or one or more alkaline earth metals. ### Claim 89 (depends on 88) The assembly of claim 88, wherein the one or more alkali metals comprise lithium. ### Claim 90 (depends on 88, 89) The assembly of claim 88 or claim 89, wherein the one or more alkaline earth metals comprise magnesium. ### Claim 91 (depends on 88, 89, 90) The assembly of any one of claims 88 to 90, wherein the one or more alkaline earth metals comprise magnesium. ### Claim 92 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 91, wherein the sonic probe is configured to provide sonic energy at a frequency of about 2 Hz to about 200 MHz. ### Claim 93 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 92, wherein the sonic probe is configured to provide sonic energy at a frequency of about 18 kHz to about 2 MHz. ### Claim 94 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 93, wherein the sonic probe is configured to provide sonic energy at one or more resonant frequencies of the substrate. ### Claim 95 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The method of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 2 Hz to about 200 MHz. ### Claim 96 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1 Mhz. ### Claim 97 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.1 Mhz. ### Claim 98 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.2 Mhz. ### Claim 99 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.3 Mhz. ### Claim 100 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.4 Mhz. ### Claim 101 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.5 Mhz. ### Claim 102 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.6 Mhz. ### Claim 103 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.7 Mhz. ### Claim 104 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.8 Mhz. ### Claim 105 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 1.9 Mhz. ### Claim 106 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 2 Mhz. ### Claim 107 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 3 Mhz. ### Claim 108 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 4 Mhz. ### Claim 109 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 5 Mhz. ### Claim 110 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 6 Mhz. ### Claim 111 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 7 Mhz. ### Claim 112 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 8 Mhz. ### Claim 113 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 9 Mhz. ### Claim 114 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 10 Mhz. ### Claim 115 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 11 Mhz. ### Claim 116 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 12 Mhz. ### Claim 117 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 13 Mhz. ### Claim 118 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 14 Mhz. ### Claim 119 (depends on 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94) The assembly of any one of claims 71 to 94, wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency of about 15 Mhz.