01: Welcome!

Hi everyone! Welcome to week 1 of my Senior Project blog post journey!

For my Senior Project, I will be focusing on developing a better battery for recycling.

Why This Project

Recently, there has been rising awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuels. In response, many countries have invested heavily in sustainable and clean energy solutions, especially in electric vehicles, whose widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies has significantly increased the use of lithium-ion batteries. In addition to EVs, Li-ion batteries are also found in everyday items, such as smartphones and computers, which also gained popularity in the last couple of decades due to the rise of the digital age. This surge, however, has led some experts to claim that a worldwide lithium shortage could come as early as 2025. For instance, a recent report expects an average of 20.4% year-on-year annual growth for China’s lithium demand for EVs alone in the next decade. In contrast, China’s lithium supply will only grow by 6% over the same period, which is less than one-third of the forecasted demand.

There is also increased scrutiny over how the metals are being extracted. For example, cobalt is being unethically mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The work is dangerous, the people there barely get enough money to live, and mines are sprouting up everywhere, taking over people’s land and homes. Finally, when batteries will need to be disposed of, at the end of their lives, it can pose an environmental concern. Improper disposal of batteries can lead to the release of hazardous materials, contributing to pollution and environmental degradation.

As I mentioned, we are approaching a time when the old batteries of EVs are nearing the end of their lives, so, instead of mining for new metals and worrying about a metal shortage, we should be recycling our old ones.

What I’m doing

I will start with a literature review, in which I will focus on current battery recycling and reusability, giving me a foundational understanding of current challenges and gaps in the field. I will then explore potential design modifications that could enhance the safety and feasibility of reused batteries. Some examples include the integration of advanced sensor technologies to monitor key parameters and a disassembly-friendly structure.

I will construct prototype batteries, incorporating the selected design modifications. These prototypes will undergo rigorous testing, including safety parameters, efficiency, and durability. I will also focus on measuring performance metrics, safety parameters, and environmental impact through life cycle analysis, so I can determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the design. Some of the things I will explore will be compatibility with existing infrastructure. I will be disassembling used batteries (rather than building new ones), which will allow me to see how my designs can be incorporated into already existing batteries. I will be looking at adaptability to variability, and whether batteries of different designs can use the same technology.

Sources

Shan, L. Y. A worldwide lithium shortage could come as soon as 2025. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/29/a-worldwide-lithium-shortage-could-come-as-soon-as-2025.html