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Use of lithium - ion batteries is more widespread than ever . They often issue forth up when discussing galvanic vehicle but many other consumer products also rely on the batteries for superpower . In the nursing home improvement manufacture , atomic number 3 - ion battery are the gold criterion for cordless power tools . They perform well than other type of batteries , have a longer lifespan , have quick charging capabilities , and are a popular pick among most peter manufacturers .

Over the years , however , thesetypes of batterieshave faced major challenges when it comes to safely cast out of and recycling them . Here you ’ll learn about a new technology to improve the summons of atomic number 3 - ion battery recycling that promise to transmute the industriousness to a secure and more sustainable office root .

An old lithium-ion battery from a power tool.

Photo: Kypros/Moment via Getty Images

Where to Find Lithium-Ion Batteries

There are two character of atomic number 3 battery that U.S. consumers expend : unmarried - use , non - rechargeable atomic number 3 alloy bombardment and re - indictable lithium - ion , or Li - ion , batteries . When it come torechargeable battery , the atomic number 3 - ion battery is one of the most pop types available . The primary reason is that they have a high energy density that permit them to stack away a significant amount of power to last for several hours .

atomic number 3 batteries are also smaller and lighter than other types of batteries that harbor the same amount of vim . You frequently find lithium - ion batteries in smartphones , laptop computer figurer , tablets , wireless headphone , toy , small and large appliances , vitamin E - cycle , electric vehicles , power peter , and other electronic devices . Their lifespan is typically about 3 years , or 300 to 500 rush .   As engineering continues to advance , more and more products are expected to include these powerful electric battery .

Why Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries Is so Important

It ’s beneficial to recycle atomic number 3 - ion batteries to recover critical materials and stave off problem that result from throwing them off . These batteries are made with worthful bleak materials — include lithium , cobalt , and graphite — that can be used for other products in the future . If these batteries are discarded at the end of their life , we turn a loss these resources that are difficult to put back . But recycling them helps minimise the want to mine for new raw materials , which cut back on environmental cost .

In increase to following recommendations forstorage of atomic number 3 - ion battery , note that it is never a beneficial approximation to bemuse these battery into household drivel or recycling bin because they can dumbfound a safety danger , as they can easily pick up fire or explode . If Li - ion barrage fire stop up in a landfill , they can leak out harmful chemical that can cause environmental damage . To recycle lithium - ion batteries properly , look for license battery electronics recyclers that assume them . Refer to your local solid barren authority , Earth 911 , orCall2Recycle .

Why Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries Has Clear Challenges

Because of the fire risk involve , recycling lithium - ion stamp battery need special equipment and handling procedures . In addition , complex appendage involve the diligence of acid leaching and solvent descent are necessary for the recycling procedure to be successful . These harsh chemicals nonplus health and environmental risks , which make recycle these battery knotty . For age , experts have been waiting for safe , more eco - well-disposed recycling technology to be uncommitted to address these concern .

New Technology to Make Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries Safer and Easier

Researchers in China are taking the battery recycling industry by violent storm with theirnew discovery . They have developed a innovational bombardment recycling method to recover 99.99 percent of the lithium found in these batteries within just 15 minute . Aside from its speediness , the engineering is also eco - friendly .

The innovative appendage uses the amino dot glycine to extract raw materials from the battery during the recycling process . This is very different from traditional method that apply harsh chemicals . Not only is the absolute majority of atomic number 3 extracted in record prison term , but so is a significant amount of atomic number 27 , nickel , and manganese . What ’s more , the remnant genus Glycine can be repurposed as fertilizer .

How this Discovery Can Make a Difference

This technical advancement get at an opportune clip to better manage the growing waste product from smartphones , laptop , powerfulness tool , and more . Indeed , the global Li - ion battery recycling market was rate at $ 138.62 million in 2023 and is expect to raise by about 45 percent between now and 2030 . As the need for thesetypes of electronic devices with Li - ion batteriescontinues to spring up , so does the concern about what happens to all those batteries at the last of their life .

By having a fast , more sustainable method acting of recycling the bombardment and extracting the key materials to reprocess , the research worker ’ workplace can assist translate the diligence and protect the environment at the same clip . Overall , this new technology can aid achieve large - scale , contamination - loose Li - ion battery recycling .

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Young woman in backyard inserting a battery into a lawn mower

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Close up of a hand holding a lithium-ion battery

Photo: Kypros/Moment via Getty Images.

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