Researchers aim to recover rare metals from spent batteries
Anil Kumar Vinayak, an Engineering master’s student at the University of Alberta, is exploring more sustainable and affordable ways to recover the valuable metals in lithium-ion batteries. The current process to reclaim metals from spent batteries typically uses harsh mineral-based acids. However, Vinayak is instead experimenting with milder, organic chemicals with a minimal environmental impact. Using his organic mixtures, Vinayak recovered more than 80 percent of the lithium from the spent batteries. Read about his research and where the recovered metals can be reused.
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