hindered by side reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interface. While significant advancements have been achieved through engineering approaches—such as optimizing electrolyte chemistry, interfacial properties, and electrode architecture—a universal electrolyte design principle remains elusive. This challenge stems from a lack of systematic characterization and fundamental understanding, limiting the rational development of electrolytes not only for sodium metal batteries but also for lithium metal, sodium-ion, and other emerging battery technologies. In this talk, I will introduce a novel electrolyte design strategy that selectively presents different solvent molecules to the anode and cathode, optimizing electrochemical stability at both interfaces. Additionally, I will discuss our recent work integrating Bayesian Optimization (BO) with Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to accelerate electrolyte design, paving the way for the practical realization of anode-free sodium metal batteries.

cheaper materials cost during lithium-ion battery fabrication. However, DRX cathodes exhibit both poor electrical conductivity and poor cycle life performance for viable commercial applications. Currently, these cathodes use high energy ball milling to precoat DRX particles with carbon at 20 wt.% before slurry processing. Though this helps improve DRX cathode performance, very little is known about how this precoating step may impact the final cathode microstructure and its feasibility for large-scale applications. More specifically, how post-synthesis slurry processing parameters, like the carbon mixing method, affects the inherent cathode slurry properties. Early results indicate that higher energy mixing allows for sufficient carbon coating, thus improving electrical conductivity. Conversely, such high energy collisions lead to elastic slurry behavior which lowers fluid uniformity and induces mechanical stresses and particle aggregation which exacerbates cathode degradation. This study conducts an in-depth analysis on DRX cathode slurry processing to better understand said properties, how it informs the cathode microstructure and consequently its influences on cell electrochemical performance. The overall goal of this work is to develop design rules for large-scale processing of DRX cathodes based on a fundamental understanding of the cathode slurry parameters and properties.

processing location(s), electric grid mix used, and ore type and grade. Given the dynamic nature of LIB material supply chains, with new assets, processing locations, and technologies entering the market, it is necessary to understand how such market dynamics may affect the environmental impacts of these materials and LIBs. In this study, we use Argonne National Laboratory’s Research and Development Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (R&D GREET®) model to understand how supply chains and feedstock sources could affect the life cycle burdens of battery material and LIB production. We first discuss the effect of changes in supply chain factors for three key LIB material constituents – lithium, nickel, and cobalt – on the life-cycle impacts of both these materials and the final LIB. Subsequently, we investigate the potential effect of shifting feedstock sources for these materials from virgin production to their recycled counterparts for the batteries’ life-cycle impacts. For this, we consider different LIB recycling technologies, using information from Argonne’s EverBatt® model in tandem with the R&D GREET model.

the advantage of being produced from petroleum coke within the U.S., thereby reducing the reliance on natural graphite, which is imported. This feedstock substitution for battery anodes could enhance energy independence and improve supply stability by relying on domestic resources. Since synthetic graphite production is energy-intensive, it offers an opportunity to understand the likely environmental effects of its domestic production.

This study presents a comprehensive life cycle analysis of the potential production of synthetic graphite battery anode material (BAM) in the U.S. based on industrial-scale data. The analysis focuses on three impacts: total energy use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The results show GHG emissions of 30.5 kg CO2-eq/kg BAM, total energy use of 607.0 MJ/kg BAM, and water consumption of 123.8 L/kg BAM for the baseline condition. The graphitization step is a major process hotspot, contributing over 70% to all impacts. This is attributed to the energy and material input requirements for this step, particularly the use of crucibles. Across the entire synthetic graphite production, electricity is the primary contributor, followed by crucibles, used in graphite blocks, and petroleum coke. Sensitivity analyses indicate that improvement in micronizing yield, reuse of crucibles, and use of low-carbon nuclear energy can significantly reduce GHG emissions of potential domestic graphite production (by ~70%)

constructing conventional transmission assets, like transmission lines, substations, and transformers, to accommodate temporal variations in the electric demand, enhance the grid’s reliability, and improve the grid’s resiliency to extreme weather conditions. With rapid advancements in batteries in recent decades, grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) have emerged as a potential alternative to conventional power grid expansion solutions by enhancing transmission capacity and grid reliability. Due to the significant use of critical materials in grid-scale BESS, especially from imported sources, the environmental impacts of the battery use for transmission applications are not well understood. In this study, we conduct a life cycle analysis (LCA) of grid-scale BESS using Argonne’s R&D GREET^® (Research and Development Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies) model to understand its environmental performance. Our LCA focuses on LFP-based batteries and covers the life cycle of grid-scale BESS from raw material extraction and processing through to their point of utilization in the grid. The model is configured with real-world data and conditions. Primary contributors to several environmental impact metrics (e.g., energy use, water consumption, and emissions) are identified, pinpointing potential trade-offs and bottlenecks in different life cycle stages to support decision-making for the development of robust and low-environmental-impact grid-scale BESS options in the future.

prepare ACs compared to the conventional route. The obtained ACs with low surface area (< 10 m²/g) and interlayer spacing comparable to graphite (3.35 Å), was used as anode materials in both Li-ion battery (LIB) and Na-ion battery (NIB). The LIB and NIB anodes delivered capacities of 300 and 100 mAh/g, respectively after 10 cycles at 100 mA/g. Both batteries showed excellent cycling stabilities and rate capabilities. Their galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles displayed a sloping voltage region (above 0.1 V) contributing ~80% to their capacities at 10^th cycle which is due mainly to graphene defects. The usually nearly flat plateau, below 0.1 V, which is due to nanoporosity and/or reversible intercalation between the graphene planes was limited, accounting for the total low capacities when compared with other mostly porous BDCs already reported. The 1^st cycle Coulombic Efficiency (CE) for the LIB and NIB anodes were 50% and 85%, respectively which increased to ~100% after 10 cycles in both batteries. This results show that dense carbons can be exploited as high performance anode in LIBs and NIBs by optimising the defects and interlayer spacing in these materials. Also, the ionothermal approach could offer sustainable and viable synthesis route to make activated carbons which can be exploited as high performance anode in LIBs.

enhances energy efficiency and reduces environmental impact. This study applies data science techniques to quantitatively analyze experimental results from a TESS utilizing Stearic Acid (~61 kg) within a finned, concentric pipe heat exchanger charged by diesel exhaust [Ref: Original Full Paper]. A data science workflow (implemented in Python) included empirical modeling (polynomial/exponential curve fitting), dynamic heat transfer rate analysis ($dT/dt$), energy flow estimation, and sensitivity analysis based on the experimental data.

The analysis provided quantitative insights into system dynamics, notably identifying a distinct reduction in heating rate during the Stearic Acid phase transition (~57-67°C). The estimated specific energy storage density was ~332 kJ/kg under the operating conditions (based on assumed literature properties). Operational analysis confirmed a lower water discharge flow rate (2 L/min) yielded superior energy recovery (~19,351 kJ assuming $T_$=29°C) compared to 4 L/min (~14,539 kJ). Sensitivity analysis showed the calculated "discharge efficiency" ($\eta = Q_/Q_$) is highly dependent on assumed inlet water temperature ($T_$), ranging from ~59% ($T_$=35°C) to ~96% ($T_$=29°C) for the 2 L/min flow. This discharge efficiency is distinct from the overall system recovery relative to exhaust heat input (~14% reported previously). Assuming weekly cycling displacing electric heating suggests potential annual savings of ~98 kg CO2e/year (US context). This research demonstrates the utility of data science in extracting deeper quantitative understanding and environmental implications from TESS experiments.

real-time power balancing. This paper proposes OptiEnerX, a novel control framework that employs Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF) to optimize BESS operation under user-centric constraints. OptiEnerX introduces a hybrid learning pipeline that fuses Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP)-based expert demonstrations with preference-informed reward modeling to address the limitations of conventional model-free policies. The method begins with supervised fine-tuning (SFT) of a Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) agent using MILP solutions, followed by preference sampling to incorporate user comfort into the reward function, and concludes with RL-based policy refinement that enforces battery and appliance constraints. The framework directly addresses challenges in BESS scheduling such as SOC trajectory regulation, bounded charge/discharge cycles, and load satisfaction under stochastic demand. Simulations over a 24-hour horizon demonstrate that the RLHF-augmented policy achieves 6.13 kWh of discharge and 4.36 kWh of charge while maintaining SOC within prescribed bounds. It reduces peak load and unmet runtime by over 35% compared to baseline PPO, and increases the comfort satisfaction index by 28%. Importantly, the learned policy generalizes to unseen load profiles with minimal retraining. OptiEnerX advances the state of the art in user-aligned BESS control by introducing a reproducible, feedback-driven optimization strategy with strong empirical performance. Ongoing work explores real-time deployment and grid-aware adaptations under time-varying pricing and aggregated demand response scenarios.

limit their viability to mid- and large-scale operations only. In this work, we demonstrate a 3D printed prototype of a pumpless non-aqueous organic RFB that induces flow in the electrolyte from sinusoidal rocking motion. A multistep material screening process was performed under RFB conditions to find the most chemically stable, widely available additive manufacturing material. We then evaluated the performance of this pumpless system using 0.25 M of N-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl)phenothiazine (MEEPT) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide radical cation salt (MEEPT-TFSI) as a redox-active couple in 0.5 M tetraethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TEATFSI)/acetonitrile (MeCN). Our results suggest that mass transfer is inversely proportional to the frequency of sinusoidal motion, which is evident from impedance spectroscopy and polarization measurements. After 100 cycles in this symmetric cell with an area specific resistance of 2.62 Ω cm², a capacity retention of 63% and an average Coulombic efficiency of 96% was recorded with minimal signs of decomposition of the redox couple when analyzed post-cell cycling. This work offers a reference point for the material selection process for rapid prototyping of electrochemical energy storage devices that use organic solvents, including flow cells, supercapacitors, and lithium-ion batteries. Applying sinusoidal motion to drive electrolytes instead of a pump allows the miniaturization of the flow cell and makes it attractive in wearable applications where biomechanical motion can be harnessed.

solid-state battery development: ionic transport limitations, interfacial instability, and high-voltage incompatibility, we conducted systematic optimization of Li₃PO₄ loading (0–30 wt%) via solvent casting methodology. The 20 wt% Li₃PO₄ formulation emerged as the optimal composition, demonstrating ionic conductivity of 6.59 × 10⁻⁵ S·cm⁻¹ at 60 °C, Li⁺ transference number of 0.33, and exceptional electrochemical stability up to 5.2 V versus Li/Li⁺.

Remarkably, the optimized electrolyte retains high crystallinity while improving electrochemical performance—challenging the common preference for amorphous structures. This is attributed to Li⁺ transport networks formed at Li₃PO₄–polymer interfaces, which enable ion conduction independent of polymer chain motion. FTIR analysis confirms weakened Li⁺–TFSI⁻ interactions, enhancing salt dissociation and ionic mobility.

These findings reposition Li₃PO₄ from a conventional passive component to an active interface architect that simultaneously reinforces mechanical properties and amplifies electrochemical performance. This work establishes a viable pathway toward high-voltage solid-state batteries while expanding the application potential of phosphate-based architectures in advanced energy storage technologies.

_{Acknowldgements: The authors acknowledge with gratitude the financial support provided by the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, the OCP Foundation through the APRD Research Program (2022-2025), the Swedish Research Council (grant no. 2017-05466) and STandUP for Energy.}

Li-ion batteries. A series of LiV_1-xMn_xPO₄F/C compounds were synthesized via a scalable one-step sol-gel route, Structural characterization confirmed successful incorporation of Mn up to 9% without secondary phase formation.

Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed a suppression of long-range antiferromagnetic V³⁺–F–V³⁺ ordering with increasing Mn content, indicating the emergence of competing magnetic interactions through V–F–Mn bridges. Solid-state ⁷Li and ³¹P NMR studies further demonstrated that Mn doping alters the local environments of lithium and phosphorus, with ex situ spectra across different states of charge confirming a two-phase lithium (de)insertion mechanism and more complete delithiation in the Mn-rich composition. Operando XRD further validated this two-phase reaction mechanism and demonstrated structural integrity throughout electrochemical cycling. XAS measurement was also performed to determine the V and Mn oxidation state change during electrochemical cycling.

Electrochemical testing revealed that the Mn-doped sample achieves a discharge capacity of 150 mAh·g⁻¹ at C/5 and retains over 98% capacity after 100 cycles, and 0.7% capacity fade after 200 cycle when cycled at 1C rate. Enhanced rate capability and lower charge-transfer resistance, confirmed by EIS and Randles-Sevcik-derived diffusion coefficients, reflect improved ionic and electronic transport kinetics.

This study demonstrates how targeted Mn doping not only boosts the electrochemical performance of LiVPO₄F but also modifies the magnetic, structural, and transport properties.

presents nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon nanofibers (mpNCNFs) synthesized via electrospinning a urea-polyacrylonitrile precursor, enabling dual functionality as both cathodes and interlayers. The mpNCNFs exhibit a synergistic balance of nitrogen content and mesoporosity, promoting polysulfide confinement and reutilization. Coin cell tests demonstrate improved capacity retention and rate capability when mpNCNFs are used in both electrode roles, suggesting a scalable route to enhance Li–S battery performance through material design.

performance, safety, and longevity. This poster will represent the importance of reference materials in battery materials testing, emphasizing their importance in standardizing measurements and validating testing methodologies.

Reference materials serve as benchmarks for various battery parameters, including capacity, voltage, and internal resistance. By utilizing certified reference materials, researchers and manufacturers can ensure the reliability and reproducibility of test results, facilitating comparisons across different studies and laboratories.

This poster will showcase the complete range of Supelco® certified reference materials utilized in battery testing. We provide the following categories of standards from our Physical & Chemical Property Standards portfolio that are essential for battery testing:

• Karl Fischer (KF) Standards
• Titration Standards
• Conductivity Standards
• Ion Chromatography standards
• Particle Size Standards
• Viscosity Standards
• pH buffer standards
• Melting point standards
• Density Standards

and battery-grade solvents. This poster details our comprehensive strategy to enhance battery technology by providing essential materials and technical support. We emphasize high-quality material for reproducible research and industrial use. Leveraging both our North American manufacturing capabilities and our global supply network, we offer a comprehensive battery materials portfolio to serve a diverse range of advanced battery chemistries.

of Mn³⁺ in the ZMO cathode during cycling can cause the dissolution of redox-active Mn ions, thereby reducing cycle stability. This study aims to enhance the structural stability of the ZMO cathode through Ni doping. To maintain charge balance, Ni²⁺ doping promotes the oxidation of Mn³⁺ to Mn⁴⁺, which decreases Mn dissolution and enhances cycling stability. ZnMn_2-xNi_xO₄ (x = 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5; ZMNO) cathodes with varying Ni doping levels were synthesized to investigate the effect of Ni content on stability.

Experimental results showed that Ni doping increased the average oxidation state of Mn. Moreover, Ni doping transformed the tetragonal structure of ZMO into a cubic structure with an expanded unit cell volume. As a result, all Ni-doped ZMNO samples showed higher specific capacity and improved stability compared to ZMO. Specifically, ZnMnNiO₄ achieves a specific capacity of 278 mAh g^-1 and 80% capacity retention after 1000 cycles, outperforming ZMO (57% retention). This improvement is attributed to the suppression of Jahn-Teller distortion and reduced electrostatic repulsion between inserted Zn²⁺ ions due to lattice expansion. On the other hand, ZnMn_0.5Ni_1.5O₄ exhibited lower stability than ZnMnNiO₄, due to the formation of NiO and ZnO secondary phases, which disrupt the crystal structure. This study demonstrates that optimal Ni doping can reduce Mn dissolution and improve cycle stability, establishing the potential of ZMNO materials as cathodes for aqueous Zn-ion batteries.

than that of Lithium-ion batteries and could be a lower cost, lighter weight, and more sustainable alternative. However, certain challenges still remain. Li-S batteries experience short cycle lifetimes and poor rate capability caused by the dissolution and diffusion of intermediate lithium polysulfide species into the electrolyte leading to an irreversible loss of sulfur and slow redox kinetics. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are currently being investigated for their ability to prevent polysulfide diffusion and function as a redox catalyst to increase cycle lifetime, minimize capacity fade, and improve rate capabilities for Li-S batteries. MOFs are a promising material for improving Li-S performance as they are highly porous materials with tunable chemical properties that can trap soluble polysulfides and improve redox kinetics. We have investigated the use of conductive 2D MOFs composed of transition metal centers and hexaiminotriphenylene (HITP) linkers (e.g. Ni3(HITP)2) in Li-S batteries to understand how these materials influence the fundamental sulfur reduction reaction as an electrocatalyst. We report the energy of activation (Ea) for sulfur redox reactions at various stages during discharge/charge. The electrocatalytic ability of conductive 2D MOFs for improved redox kinetics is demonstrated with lower Ea for the polysulfide redox reactions determined in Li-S batteries with MOF containing cathodes.

enhance battery circularity by recovering intact cathode materials through mechanical separation processes. The comprehensive recycling process includes multiple steps: shredding end-of-life (EoL) battery cells, electrolyte removal, material separation, binder removal, and upcycling. This research specifically targets the recycling of EoL Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxides (NMC). Upcycling involves adding higher nickel content to increase energy density beyond that of the original cathode, enhancing the economic value and modernizing the cathode chemistry. However, upcycled materials currently show lower discharge capacity and poor retention compared to commercial virgin cathodes. The hypothesis suggests that upstream processes, such as thermal binder removal, may alter the surface layer of recovered cathode materials.

To investigate this, we utilized soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in electron yield (TEY) and fluorescence yield (TFY) modes, which provide probe depths of approximately 20 nm and 100 nm, respectively. This allows for tracking chemical changes at both the surface and relative bulk length scales. We analyzed surface and bulk chemical changes in materials processed under various conditions and compared them with commercial virgin cathode materials as benchmarks. Understanding the key factors affecting performance will guide process improvements, facilitating the commercialization of upcycled batteries with performance and stability comparable to commercial batteries.

it produces two valuable products, an acid and a base, while achieving nearly 99% desalination efficiency. This study employs BPED to remediate process water generated during battery recycling. The process water presents a high lithium concentration, accompanied by intricate chemistry derived from the batteries. Consequently, the recovery yield of lithium serves as the metric for efficiency. The effects of parameters (concentration of acid and base compartments, stack voltage, volume ratio, and time) were examined and optimized. Subsequently, the purity of lithium product, which is lithium hydroxide (LiOH), was assessed, aiming for battery-grade LiOH. The quality of the water following BPED was assessed to ensure its safe release into the environment or its reuse in the battery recycling process.

limited due to the rapid capacity and voltage fade during extended cycling. In this poster presentation, I will show employing two strategies to stabilize the DRS materials both by structurally and electrochemically. First, the effect of post-synthesis heat treatment on the structural and chemical stability of DRS was systematically investigated. This approach elucidated the role of thermal treatment in enhancing structural ordering and improving electrochemical performance. Second, a combined strategy of partial cation doping (using Cu) and anion substitution (increased fluorine incorporation) was explored. This dual modification led to a significant enhancement in cell cycling stability, DRS materials delivering reversible capacities of ~200 mAh g⁻¹. These materials were synthesized via a scalable one-pot mechanochemical ball milling process. The results provide valuable insights for tuning DRS properties by external treatment and tuning composition toward high-performance lithium-ion battery cathodes.

supply being unable to keep pace with demand. Concerns have also been raised about environmental and human health impacts throughout a battery’s entire life cycle. Mining itself risks contamination of local fresh water supplies while sending spent batteries to landfills poses significant environmental risk to groundwater purity and air quality. Therefore, alternative disposal methods have risen in prominence especially direct recycling which seeks to combine low cost with environmentally friendly treatment compared traditional chemical and physical recycling.

This work presents a facile direct recycling remanufacturing approach that applies direct recycling principles to recover battery performance. The approach presented here aims to simplify the treatment process by preserving the original electrode crystal structure and minimizing the treatment steps. Critically, we want to simplify the pretreatment process by treating the degraded active material without separating the electrode from the current collector. This investigation reveals that applying fresh slurry after plasma treatment in combination with pressing yields high post treatment cell viability and significant restoration in capacity performance for heavily degraded cells. The best-case scenario, using a hot plate heating process, can restore capacity back to levels equivalent to practical capacity. To the best of this author’s knowledge, this is a novel direct recycling approach that shows great significant as an initial step for scaling up a cost-effective and sustainable remanufacturing process.

typically 15-20 years old and often have lower energy density compared to current cathode materials. In response, we have developed a rapid precipitation process to boost energy density by converting low Ni-compositions, LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ (NMC622), into higher Ni-compositions (NMC811), through the deposition of a Ni(OH)₂ layer. During a solid-state process, the Ni-rich coating diffuses into the core, increasing compositional homogeneity upon high-temperature relithiation but retaining secondary particle morphology. Alternatively, the relithiation process can be tuned using a molten salt synthesis method to obtain single-crystalline NMC 811 from the coated cathode. This approach leverages a dissolution-recrystallization mechanism to improve the compositional homogeneity and structural stability of the final NMC 811 phase. Through ex-situ tomographic transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM) and XANES, we quantify Ni:Co:Mn elemental ratios and Ni valence state to quantify the heterogeneous diffusion of Ni in the polycrystalline vs. the single crystalline material. X-ray diffraction reveals concurrent structural changes during the relithiation process for both methods. Together, these results inform improved synthesis strategies for enhancing both initial capacity and long-term capacity retention.

lithium-ion batteries, combining high theoretical capacity with environmental and cost benefits. However, like many transition metal sulfides, NiS suffers from rapid performance decay due to structural instability during cycling. Our work tackles this challenge through an innovative electrode design - a 3D nanoporous NiS@Cu-Ni nanosheet array architecture fabricated using a rapid, template-free electrodeposition process. The synthesis involves first growing a conductive Cu-Ni nanosheet network on nickel foam (5 min constant current deposition), followed by NiS integration (30 min constant potential deposition). This hierarchical structure provides both efficient charge transport pathways and mechanical stability against volume changes. Electrochemical testing reveals exceptional performance: an initial capacity of 2.1 mAh/cm2 at 0.4 mA/cm2 with 92.8% retention after 300 cycles, along with outstanding rate capability (1.99 mAh/cm2 at 3.2 mA/cm2). These results demonstrate how carefully engineered nanostructures can overcome the intrinsic limitations of sulfide-based battery materials while maintaining simple, scalable fabrication.

presents a promising sustainable solution. In this study, the co-pyrolysis of spent coffee grounds (SCG) with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is investigated to produce value-added biochar. The primary objective is to determine the optimum process parameters for maximizing biochar yield and quality with the intention of utilizing the resulting biochar in energy storage applications. Co-pyrolysis was carried out using a stainless-steel tube reactor inside a tubular furnace under inert conditions. A face-centered central composite design was employed, varying temperature (500–700 °C), heating rate (10–20 °C/min), and LDPE/HDPE-to-SCG feedstock ratios (25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 by weight). Additional experiments were conducted at 0:100 and 100:0 ratios to study the performance of mono-pyrolysis under identical conditions. Analytical methods included TGA, ultimate and proximate analysis, and SEM/EDS for surface and elemental characterization. Mixing SCG with LDPE/HDPE demonstrated synergistic effects, enhancing carbon retention and structural properties. These properties make the resulting biochar a good starting material for activating carbon materials in supercapacitors and batteries. The results highlighted the significance of optimizing operating parameters to achieve efficient waste-to-energy transformation. This study confirms the superior efficacy of co-pyrolysis over pyrolysis, supporting its role in sustainable waste management. Future work will focus on activating the produced biochar and evaluating its performance in energy storage devices, extending its environmental and industrial relevance.

assessment of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate (LC) and lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) using secondary feedstocks such as end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. Our objective was to shed light on the cost structures associated with different recycling pathways and to lay the groundwork for future development of cost-effective domestic processes with lower environmental footprints. A comparative analysis was performed to evaluate the cost and environmental impacts of producing battery-grade lithium compounds from recycled sources against its virgin counterparts produced from primary sources such as spodumene ore and brine. We examined all stages of recycling, from dismantling of batteries through the refining operations, while also gathering process-level data for pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recycling methods. Our findings reveal that recycling pathways can offer competitive cost structures for producing LC and LHM when compared to traditional virgin routes. However, the overall economics are highly sensitive to factors such as capital investment, plant location, and reagent costs, particularly the market prices of recovered materials. These insights highlight the importance of strategic facility siting, modular process design, and material sourcing in improving cost-effectiveness and reducing environmental impacts. This work provides a foundational basis for scaling circular lithium recovery infrastructure and informs broader policy and industry efforts to secure a resilient, low-carbon domestic lithium supply chain.

the lack of high-performance cathode materials. Layered transition metal oxides (NaxTMO2) are attractive cathode candidates due to their high theoretical capacities and efficient Na+ diffusion channels, but conventional cationic redox reactions are reaching their capacity limits.
The emergence of anionic (oxygen) redox chemistry presents a route to exceed these limits. In analogy to Li-rich oxides, nonbonding O 2p states—induced by configurations such as Na–O–X (X = Li, Mg, Zn, vacancy)—enable reversible oxygen redox activity. Notably, the Na–O–vacancy (Na–O–Va) motif promotes high-voltage oxygen redox but also leads to structural instability and voltage decay during cycling.

To address this challenge, we report a dual doping strategy incorporating Mg ions and cation vacancies into a P2-type layered oxide. The resulting Na0.67Mn0.011[Mg0.1Va0.07Mn0.83]O2 cathode simultaneously activates oxygen redox and improves structural stability. Mg ions help stabilize the oxygen framework, while vacancies generate abundant nonbonding O 2p states. Additionally, partial Mn occupation in Na sites acts as "rivets" to suppress interlayer slab gliding and mitigate microcrack formation during deep de-sodiation.

This material delivers a high specific capacity of 155 mAh g-1 and maintains 87.5% of its capacity over 200 cycles at 140 mA g-1. Mg–Va dual doping enhances both the reversibility of the oxygen redox and the mechanical robustness of the layered structure. These findings offer a promising strategy for designing durable high-capacity cathodes and advancing sodium-ion battery development.

Reference: Nat. Commun. 16, 100 (2025)

lithium-ion batteries in the Philippines, driven by climate change initiatives and the growing electric vehicle market, necessitates a sustainable solution. By extracting valuable metals from waste mobile batteries and circuit boards, this project aims to reduce the environmental impact of mining and conserve natural resources.

The project's objectives include determining the average mass and composition of mobile battery scrap and circuit boards, calculating the mass balances and energy balances of the manufacturing process, and identifying the materials and dimensions of equipment used in production. The study will also explore the uses of prismatic lithium-ion batteries in the transportation sector and as energy storage in solar grids.

By adopting a closed-loop recycling approach, this project contributes to the United Nations' Sustainable

recycling end-of-life batteries. Characterizing lithium distribution in battery materials is critical for applications ranging from traditional lithium-ion battery technology to new electrode chemistries like lithium metal. Despite its importance, reliably measuring lithium can be challenging for traditional analytical techniques, especially in air- and moisture-sensitive materials.

Addressing the limitations of conventional techniques, a new analytical approach combines Laser Ablation Laser Ionization (LALI) with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF-MS). LALI-TOF-MS involves a dual-laser system that directly analyzes solid or powder battery materials and ionizes neutral particles. The TOF mass analyzer creates a full mass spectrum at each laser spot, detecting low-mass elements (e.g., Li, C) to high-mass metallic elements. This capability supports multi-element quantification, detailed elemental mapping, and high-resolution depth profiling. By operating under vacuum, it allows accurate characterization of air- and moisture-sensitive battery electrodes.

Progressing advanced battery technology from research to commercial scales involves understanding lithium’s interactions with the electrolyte and formation of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer, which significantly impacts a battery’s performance and lifespan. Lithium measurements also allow early detection of potential degradation mechanisms like lithium plating. Further down the lifecycle, characterizing lithium distribution in black mass can provide important insights for optimizing recycling processes.

This study presents results acquired by LALI-TOF-MS on a variety of battery materials showing the distribution of lithium along with compounds formed by lithium in combination with the electrode’s active elements.

minimize primary resource consumption. This study explores the recovery of valuable metals from black mass by using a multistage Extraction Platform via membrane liquid-liquid separation. To maximize the recovery and separation of nickel and cobalt, this research optimizes solvent extraction methods, including parameters such as pH, O/A ratio, concentration of extractant, among others. The recovered materials will be purified to industrial standards, enabling their incorporation into the synthesis of new cathode materials. This study aims to advance a circular economy for critical materials by improving the efficiency and sustainability of battery recycling.

the impact of climate change. Central to this shift is the pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO₂, which are key drivers of climate change. This necessitates a comprehensive strategy that encompasses energy efficiency enhancements, especially within industrial sectors, and the optimization of energy utilization. One promising avenue in this regard is the recovery of industrial waste heat (IWH), offering substantial prospects for energy consumption reduction and subsequent CO₂ emission mitigation. IWH recovery involves capturing and reusing heat that would otherwise dissipate during industrial operations. This practice is pivotal not only for enhancing energy efficiency but also for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs. Evaluating the potential for waste heat recovery entails considering three distinct categories: theoretical, technical, and financial potentials. This study focuses on estimating the theoretical and technical potential of IWH recovery in Morocco through three approaches. The first method is based on CO₂ emissions data from major industrial sectors, while the second and third method revolves around their energy consumption metrics, the results indicate that the IWH can reach up to 26 PJ annually. Furthermore, the study explores the benefits of recovering IWH using thermochemical energy storage with available materials such as Phosphogypsum (PG).

chemistries and operational lifetimes, warranting a variety of considerations at their end-of-life (EOL). Retrieving and reusing the materials and components used in BESSs is pivotal to advancing the existing make-use-waste paradigm into a circular economy. We have developed a user-friendly tool named EverBESS to assess the impacts of EOL management of various BESSs and design strategies to maximize material recovery and economic viability while minimizing environmental impact associated with decommissioning, logistics, and recycling.

EverBESS focuses on three chemistries- lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) to proactively design EOL management strategies. LIBs account for about 75% of batteries used in BESSs. Their recycling is of paramount importance as they contain significant critical materials like lithium and graphite. VRFBs are promising for long-duration energy storage with their long life and theoretically infinite cyclability. The large quantities of vanadium embodied present an EOL value which may potentially offset the cost of dismantling and recycling other BESS components. Here, we present EverBESS use-cases to examine the cost and environmental impacts of EOL management, specifically for VRFBs. Post dismantling and transportation, we consider two EOL strategies for the VRFB electrolyte- rebalancing and recycling. We identify major contributing factors, propose avenues for improvement by design-for-recycling and circular supply chain initiatives for BESSs, and discuss our future research for sustainable EOL management of SIBs.