Rising from the ashes, a hidden supply of critical elements emerges
Anuja Tripathi grew up in Kanpur, India, where coal fly ash from a nearby power plant coated rooftops, windowsills and laundry hung outside to dry.
Jun 10, 2026
0
21
Engineering
Research news on Lithium battery recycling
Lithium battery recycling encompasses processes and technologies for recovering lithium and other critical metals from spent lithium-ion batteries and natural brines. Approaches include electrochemical separation, membrane-based selective extraction, deep eutectic and switchable solvents, microbial electrochemical systems, and thermal methods such as flash Joule heating and microwave-assisted processing. The field also addresses direct cathode regeneration, electrode material upcycling, and integration with renewable energy, aiming to close material loops, reduce environmental impacts, and secure supply of strategic elements for energy storage technologies.
Engineering
Low-water lithium extraction method achieves 95% recovery efficiency from brine salts
Engineers have developed a new technology that enables the direct extraction of lithium from solid salt mixtures derived from brines, offering a low-water, low-energy alternative to conventional lithium extraction methods.
Jun 10, 2026
0
9
Energy & Green Tech
Why old EV batteries still go to waste—and how AI could change that
Even though retired lithium-ion batteries often retain up to 80% of their capacity, significant economic value and climate benefits are currently being lost. A new article in Nature Reviews Clean Technology, involving researchers ...
Jun 10, 2026
0
8
Energy & Green Tech
Battery 'bath' restores spent lithium-ion cells to 95% power, cuts recycling costs 56%
The critical minerals that power lithium-ion batteries are in high demand and short supply, especially for the U.S., which must rely on importing resources such as nickel and cobalt to manufacture the technology.
Jun 9, 2026
0
30
Energy & Green Tech
Recycling of electric vehicle batteries needs to be improved in Europe
Electric vehicle batteries depend on many critical metals, and their recycling must be made as efficient as possible in Europe. A new research report examines the key challenges and new opportunities that either hinder or ...
Jun 8, 2026
0
8
Energy & Green Tech
Researchers develop adaptive electric vehicle charging method to reduce battery degradation
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) have developed an adaptive charging strategy for lithium-ion batteries that could help electric vehicles (EVs) charge efficiently while reducing a major ...
Jun 2, 2026
0
7
Engineering
Accelerating the production of higher-performance batteries
Demand for batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems is growing exponentially. Fraunhofer ITWM relies on digital simulation tools and innovative measurement systems to ensure that manufacturing processes ...
Jun 1, 2026
0
4
Energy & Green Tech
Climate-driven water stress could undercut most proposed U.S. lithium mines
The U.S. may not have enough water to support its lithium ambitions, a new Northwestern University study has found. An essential ingredient for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other clean energy technologies, lithium ...
May 29, 2026
0
38
Engineering
Closed-loop process could unlock cheaper lithium from rocks with near-zero waste
Demand for lithium has surged in recent years as lithium-ion batteries increasingly power more of our world. And yet, even as places like the U.S., Europe, and Australia have abundant lithium resources within their borders, ...
May 28, 2026
0
16
Energy & Green Tech
AI speeds selective and high-yield recovery of critical minerals from industrial waste
A research team at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has deployed AI agents with the potential to accelerate the recovery of critical minerals from real-world industrial waste in days instead ...
May 28, 2026
0
9
