Dead Lithium Batteries Revived to 95% Capacity via Electrochemical Bath
4 hours ago
- #electrochemical-regeneration
- #sustainability
- #battery-recycling
- Cornell University scientists developed an electrochemical bath (DEER process) to restore spent lithium batteries to nearly 100% capacity.
- The method recycles lithium-ion battery electrodes directly, regenerating them with a solution that dissolves the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, unlike conventional recycling that shreds batteries and uses energy-intensive extraction.
- The process restored batteries to 95% original capacity, improved cycle stability, and cut recycling costs by 56%, while reducing pollutants and water use.
- Batteries can be regenerated multiple times; a third-life battery retained about 90% capacity after a second DEER cycle.
- Researchers aim to expand the method to address other degradation mechanisms, like lithium loss, and apply it to industrial and large lithium-ion battery systems.