And then there was Li

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<p>From the origins of the universe, though batteries, glass and grease to influencing the working of our brains, neuroscientist Sophie Scott tracks the incredible power of lithium.</p><p>It's 200 years ago this year that lithium was first isolated and named, but this, the lightest of all metals, had been used as a drug for centuries before. </p><p>From the industrial revolution it proves its worth as a key ingredient in glass and grease, and as the major component in lithium ion batteries it powers every smartphone on the planet. </p><p>In mental health lithium has proved one of the most effective treatments. And its use to treat physical ailments is now making a comeback.</p><p>We explore how the chemistry of lithium links all these apparently unrelated uses together.</p><p>Main Image: Lights from mobile phones in Bucharest on February, 2017. Credit: ANDREI PUNGOVSCHI / AFP / Getty Images )</p>