Charged for change: How particle analysis fuels sustainable energy solutions

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This holiday season, the familiar “batteries not included” reminds us of their importance – and the need for recycling. In today’s newsletter, we discuss how particle analysis can help to refine and optimize battery recycling to reduce waste and recover high-value metals. We also explore how a unique collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh and Malvern Panalytical is helping to deliver sustainable solutions to current challenges in energy storage and conversion. Finally, we imagine what would happen if Santa wanted to upgrade his sleigh for Christmas and switch from reindeer power to electric…

Batteries not included: Why recycling is key to sustainability

Many gifts come with a familiar caveat: batteries not included. It’s a phrase that sparks excitement and a small logistical challenge – finding batteries to bring toys to life. But what happens when those batteries are no longer usable?

When batteries reach the end of their life, they’re filled with valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, manganese, cobalt, and aluminum – essential ingredients in making new batteries. Recovering these materials efficiently is critical for reducing environmental impact.

Lithium-ion battery recycling can keep toxic waste out of landfills, in addition to providing?more raw materials to build a sustainable battery value chain. By analyzing the size, shape, and composition of particles in crushed battery materials, scientists can refine recycling processes to ensure high-quality material recovery while minimizing waste.

Malvern Panalytical offers several X-ray-based solutions to help provide insights into the chemistry of used batteries. Tools such as Malvern Panalytical’s Epsilon 4 and Zetium can be used to analyse the elemental composition of black mass – the material left after crushing spent batteries. Our Aeris X-ray diffractometer can be used to accurately analyze crystalline phase composition in black mass and recycled battery materials. Additionally, our particle size analyzers, such as the Mastersizer 3000, measure particle size and shape throughout the entire recycling process.

These innovations reduce waste, recover high-value metals, and ensure that recycled materials meet quality standards for reuse in new batteries.

So, as we unwrap holiday gifts, let’s remember the role of recycling in powering the next generation of innovations. With better recycling, we might soon live in a world where batteries are included –?not just in toys, but in a sustainable future.

Learn more about the science behind battery recycling at Malvern Panalytical here, or by following our Advanced Materials LinkedIn page here.

Customer spotlight ????

University of Pittsburgh: Delivering sustainable solutions to current challenges in energy storage and conversion

We are partners in discovery. We collaborate with our customers and with each other to discover new possibilities and achieve breakthroughs. Read about our latest customer case study with the University of Pittsburgh below….

Energy systems power everything from phones to electric cars and even space exploration. To achieve clean, renewable, and reliable energy, better batteries and fuel cells are essential. Understanding energy systems during operation is critical to identify improvements and develop new materials. A unique collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh’s Kumta Lab and Malvern Panalytical is advancing this effort.

Dr. Prashant N. Kumta and his team focus on two key areas:

• Energy storage: They aim to improve lithium-sulfur batteries, a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries, targeting better safety, cost, and efficiency.
• Energy conversion: The lab’s primary focus is water electrolysis and hydrogen fuel cells, which are clean, renewable and low-carbon energy sources, but very expensive.?

Using data and insights drawn from Malvern Panalytical’s?Empyrean X-ray diffractometer, Dr. Kumta and his team are striving towards ambitious goals:

·????? 400% more watt-hours per kilogram in rechargeable battery

·????? 300% increase in the travel range of electric cars

·????? 100% reduction in precious metals used in water electrolysis and hydrogen fuel cells

·????? 50% reduction in electric vehicle costs

Learn more about this research in the full customer story.

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What if Santa wanted to upgrade his sleigh for Christmas and switch from reindeer power to electric??With Santa’s sleigh having such an important job, it’s vital that it runs powerfully and efficiently.

X-ray diffraction (XRD) technology plays an important role in the advancement of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. By understanding parameters such as phase composition, crystallite size and degree of graphitization, manufacturers can improve EV battery quality and performance.?

For example, crystallite size has a direct impact on the rate at which lithium ions can migrate within the battery – influencing both the charging speed and the battery’s overall capacity. Smaller crystallites can enhance ion transport, leading to improved battery performance, especially in high-power applications, such as Santa delivering presents across the globe in one night!

Discover how our XRD technology holds the key to better EV batteries here.

Visit our website to find out more.?

Should you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you.

The Malvern Panalytical team