Available Technologies

Technology

Safe and cost-effective storage and transportation of Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is a major challenge for recycling. One major safety challenge facing LIBs is thermal runaway (an unstoppable chain reaction in which a rapid temperature increase causes a violent release of energy). This has caused multiple fires in garbage trucks, landfills, and recycling facilities. To prevent these reactions, LIBs are kept at low temperatures or at a low state of charge (SOC).

Researchers at UAH have developed a method to render recycled Li-ion batteries electrochemically inactive while also keeping their temperatures low through low-cost self-cooling. The recycled batteries’ remaining electrical energy can be recovered to power their own cooling unit, which reduces their SOC and keeps them cooled. A safer storage/transportation box will consist of battery dischargers and a thermoelectric cooler. Not only would this system greatly enhance safety in the transportation and recycling of LIBs, but its low-cost design and operation make it easy to adopt into the industry. The entire system is self-powered therefore there is no need for an external power supply.

Due to growing demand for electric vehicles and smart consumer electronics paired with the limited availability of Lithium, the global Li-ion battery recycling market is expected to grow by over 18% from 2020-2030. This technology addresses the major safety challenge in recycling Li-ion batteries.