Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the potential of extracting uranium from seawater, highlighting China's progress in achieving the first phase of its "three-step" goal for seawater uranium extraction, which is crucial for energy security and sustainability [1][4]. Group 1: Seawater Uranium Extraction Potential - Seawater contains an estimated 4.5 billion tons of uranium, which is 1,000 times more than traditional land-based uranium resources, but the extraction process is complex due to the low concentration of uranium (3.3 mg per ton of seawater) [1]. - The "three-step" goal for seawater uranium extraction includes achieving kilogram-level extraction by 2025, establishing a ton-level demonstration project by 2035, and achieving continuous production by 2050 [1]. Group 2: Global Context and Importance - The global nuclear power landscape is expanding, with approximately 440 nuclear reactors in operation and at least 70 under construction, indicating a significant increase in nuclear capacity by 2050 [2]. - As a leading country in nuclear energy development, China's ability to economically extract uranium from seawater could enhance resource autonomy and long-term security for nuclear energy [3]. Group 3: Challenges and Collaborative Efforts - The current stage of seawater uranium extraction research is still in the engineering development phase, facing challenges such as cost, efficiency, and environmental adaptability [4]. - The establishment of the seawater uranium extraction technology innovation alliance, which includes various stakeholders from nuclear enterprises to research institutions, aims to overcome these challenges through collaborative innovation [4].

在众多海水提铀方法中，电化学法因其快速的动力学和材料再生特性成为非常有前景的方法。然而，传 统电化学法面临着诸多挑战，如阳极氧析出半反应所需的电位高且不具备提铀的功能，以及高盐海水环 境中铀的选择性差、提取效率低等。 核能铀原料可持续获取有了新技术方案。近日，记者从湖南大学获悉，该校化学化工学院教授王双印团 队开发了一种新型电化学双极提铀技术。 该技术突破了传统单极提铀体系理论效率受限、能耗过大的难题。相关研究日前在线发表于国际期刊 《自然·可持续性》。 在全球能源转型与"双碳"目标推动下，核能作为清洁能源的重要性日益凸显。陆地铀矿资源的有限性， 制约了核电的快速发展。海水铀资源储量丰富，大约有45亿吨，相当于陆地总储量的几千倍。从海水中 提取铀资源对保障核能可持续发展具有重要意义，海水提铀技术也被《自然》杂志评为"能改变世界的 七种化学分离技术之一"。 团队成员、副教授王燕勇介绍，针对以上问题，团队设计了一种新型阳极间接提铀半反应，并开发出了 新型双极提铀电化学体系，突破了传统单极回收体系理论效率受限的瓶颈，大幅提升了铀的提取效率。 在0.6伏槽电压的宽铀浓度区间模拟海水中，该体系的铀离子提取率可达近100 ...