Researchers have found a way to restore worn-out lithium-ion batteries to 100% capacity

Traditional battery recycling requires complete disassembly of batteries and the use of energy-intensive chemical processes to extract the raw materials. A new technique proposed by a team from Cornell University revolutionizes this approach, extending the life of devices and reducing the cost of recycling.

What is the DEER method?

The innovative process is called Direct Electrode-to-Electrode Regeneration (DEER – direct electrode regeneration). Its essence lies in immersing the battery in a special electrochemical solution, which effectively dissolves the dense layer of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) that has accumulated during operation.

Features of the regeneration process

SEI accumulation occurs over hundreds of charge cycles: the layer gradually thickens, increasing internal resistance and reducing capacity, which becomes the main reason for battery disposal, even if the physical integrity of the battery is not compromised.

• Batteries restored using the DEER method returned up to 95% of their original capacity.
• During the processing process, a protective layer is applied to the electrodes, which slows down further degradation.
• Repeated regeneration cycles allowed the batteries to retain about 90% of their capacity, which proves the possibility of repeatedly extending their life.

Advantages and economic effect

According to analytical data, DEER technology can reduce the cost of secondary cell production by 56%. In addition, the use of this method can significantly reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere and minimize water consumption compared to classical processing methods.

Next steps for researchers

The team is currently working to expand the technology’s capabilities to combat not only SEI deposits, but also other types of wear, such as lithium loss. The ultimate goal of the developers is to make recycling batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage devices as fast, cheap and environmentally sustainable as possible.