Direct recycling of Lithium-ion Batteries Using Novel Nanoemulsions

This PhD studentship addresses the critical challenge of recycling end-of-life electric vehicle batteries through innovative green chemistry methods. The project focuses on developing novel separation techniques using ultrasound-generated vegetable oil-in-water nano emulsions to recover battery materials without destructive processes. Funded by EPSRC in collaboration with a major automotive OEM, the research aims to enable short-loop recycling of lithium-ion batteries while preserving original crystalline structures. The successful candidate will develop separation techniques, benchmark remanufactured cells against pristine cells, and work with real-world battery production scraps. The project includes technoeconomic and life-cycle analysis to evaluate the technology against legacy methods, with opportunities for placement studies with automotive industry partners. This research contributes to sustainable electrification of transport by applying cutting-edge chemistry to industrial battery recycling challenges.