CMI researchers at Idaho National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight
Achievement
Through participation in DOE I-Corps program CMI researchers better understand the supply chain for battery recycling and identify technical benefits of electrochemical leaching for battery recycling.
Significant and Impact
- Using renewable energy, instead of chemicals, as extraction driving force can lower the carbon footprint of the recycling and sourcing of battery metal precursors.
- Cu is directly removed from the leachate solution and obtained as by-product, a characteristic of the process that could have a significant impact in downstream refinement.
Details
EC-Leach Energy I-Corps team included INL researchers with industrial mentor Juan Carlos Villatoro of Alquimista. More than 70 interviews with industries involved in the battery ecosystem led to three inquiries for licensing options, including one from Alquimista.
Hub Target Addressed
Working with industry for commercialization of CMI technologies.
