Fast Company
Follow
MIT scientists may have just cracked the code on EV battery recycling
Global EV sales are surging, leading to a growing need for efficient EV battery recycling. Current recycling methods involve shredding batteries into "black mass," a costly and inefficient process. Researchers at MIT have developed a new battery design that simplifies recycling. This design uses a novel electrolyte material that dissolves easily, separating battery components without shredding. The new electrolyte is analogous to replacing glue with mayonnaise in a ham sandwich, making disassembly simple. This approach eliminates the complex and environmentally risky black mass sorting process. While the current prototype's performance is lower than commercial batteries, it's considered adaptable for future EV batteries. The team believes this innovation could significantly improve the sustainability and economic viability of EV battery recycling. The goal is to integrate the dissolvable material into future battery designs, making recycling more efficient and environmentally friendly. Further development is needed to enhance the battery's performance to match current standards.