The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will involve development of the technology to "recycle" batteries (making new batteries from exhausted batteries) and the potential for identifying the causes for premature battery failure. In the proposed research, battery grade electrode materials including the expensive new nanomaterials will be recovered from retired lithium-ion batteries through the use of low energy, green chemical methods prefrred to smelting. The "recovered" materials will be subsequently used in making new lithium-ion batteries.
The proposed technology will help the environment by reducing battery waste, and will impact electronics recycling worldwide. If successful, the proposed research will swing battery manufacturers to using recycled materials.
