Worcester Polytechnic Institute researchers develop long-lasting recycled battery technology

Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a new lithium-ion battery recycling method that could potentially double the lifespan of new battery cells compared to those made with standard commercial materials.

Led by Professor Yan Wang and published in the journal ‘Advanced Energy Materials’, the technique differs from existing methods by recycling both the cathode and the anode. The team successfully converted low-nickel cathode materials into a high-performance material known as NMC622 and purified graphite recovered from old batteries for use in anodes.

In laboratory tests, these recycled battery cells demonstrated significantly improved durability. After 2,590 charge and discharge cycles, the cells maintained 70% of their original capacity, showing fewer side chemical reactions and facilitating easier lithium-ion movement.