Scientists develop a way to restore aging EV batteries without breaking them down into raw materials

Key Points:

• Cornell University researchers have developed a recycling method called Direct Electrode-to-Electrode Regeneration (DEER) that restores worn lithium-ion battery electrodes without breaking them down into raw materials, potentially lowering costs and energy use compared to conventional recycling.
• The DEER process removes excess solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) buildup on electrodes using an electrochemical bath with 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI), allowing the electrodes to be reused in new battery cells and recovering up to 95% of original capacity.
• Batteries treated with DEER degrade more slowly than untreated ones, with capacity loss halved per cycle, and the process can be repeated to extend electrode lifespan, though it is most effective when performance loss is mainly due to SEI buildup.
• Unlike traditional recycling, which shreds batteries and recovers metals by destroying components, DEER treats batteries as repairable devices, which could be especially useful for electric vehicle batteries that still have functional electrodes after falling below automotive performance thresholds.
• Practical challenges include the need to disassemble batteries and handle electrodes carefully, and the process currently relies on costly DMI solvent, though reusing this chemical could improve economic viability if scaled commercially.