more efficient

But Leonard has been much more efficient throwing downfield in recent weeks.

"It may not seem like much, but methanethiol is more efficient at oxidising and forming aerosols than dimethyl sulfide and, therefore, its climate impact is magnified," said co-lead Dr Julián Villamayor, a researcher at IQF-CSIC.

Now, Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have found a way to make desorption of these polymers more efficient.

"Improvements to this technology are also expected to lead to reductions in greenhouse gases and more efficient use of water resources," Professor Takahashi added.

“If we can make this faster, more efficient, and use less energy, there will be plenty of lithium for all our needs,” says Lisa Biswal, a chemical engineer at Rice University who is working on one scheme.