> The new approach relies on a layered form of manganese oxide—a mineral material with the right size layers to allow ions to slip in and out and to differentiate rare earth elements.
Ignoring literally is A-Ok in my book (and forum comments) but I would point out that a "non lube" used to ease a transition, smooth an action, or remove friction is <cough>literally</cough> a lubricant (by definition and hundreds of years of common usage).
Seems literal to me!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentonite#Drilling_mud
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talc#Uses
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphite#Other_properties