Projects
The purpose of this Training Centre is to provide innovative, industry-focused solutions to address key challenges in battery recycling, including waste battery collection, transportation, storage, material refining, and reuse.
It aims to deliver the rapid development of a robust battery recycling market in Australia by planning new industrial demonstrations and implementing promotion policies. A central goal is to support Australia’s transition to zero battery waste to landfill while fostering the growth of a self-sustaining, profitable, and expanding onshore battery recycling industry. Most importantly, the Training Centre will train the next generation of engineers and scientists in the field of battery recycling, equipping them with the expertise needed to meet the demands of the Australian battery recycling sector.
The Training Centre will address direct challenges associated with battery recycling, through innovative, multi-disciplinary research over five years. To tackle these challenges, the Centre will focus on five key themes spanning the entire battery recycling value chain. Each project incorporates several cross-disciplinary sub-projects.
All projects will have a strong focus on translation and commercialisation of research outcomes.
Project 1
Cost-Efficient Direct Recycling for Metal Oxide Cathode Materials
Project Lead: Prof Shizhang Qiao
Sub-projects
1.1 Direct recycling/upcycling of spent cathodes via organic lithium sources
1.2 Mechanical exploration and practical considerations
1.3 Chemical refurbishment of metal oxide cathodes.
1.4 Efficient dual-directional upcycling among varied Ni-content cathodes
1.5 Upcycling of End-of-Life Photovoltaic Waste into Si Anode for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries
Project 2
Direct Recycling of Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries
Project Leads: Prof Shizhang Qiao / Dr Junnan Hao
Sub-projects
2.1 Understanding Electrochemically rejuvenation of Spent LFP batteries.
2.2 Establish electrochemical rejuvenation methods.
2.3 Direct recycling process of spent LFP batteries
Project 3
Development and optimisation of DES battery recycling process
Project Lead: A/Prof Jianfeng Mao
Sub-projects
3.1 Purify and investigate the effect of metallic impurities of black mass on the DES 2.0 process.
3.2 Upgrade the DES 2.0 process by developing new DES and anti-solvents
3.3 Development of hydrophobic DESs for battery recycling.
3.4 Design different functional DESs for the selective recovery of metals from different lithium-ion batteries
Project 4
Design and synthesis of high-quality battery precursors and materials
Project Lead: Dr Gemeng Liang
Sub-projects
4.1 Development of the refinement process to purify the as-obtained individual Li/Co/Ni/Mn salts from DES 2.0 to battery grade precursors.
4.2 Design and synthesis of high Ni-containing NCM cathode materials by using the recovered and refined Li/Co/Ni/Mn salts.
4.3 Separate and regenerate the single cathode materials from black mass with high electrochemical performance.
Project 5
Development and Optimisation processes that add value to DES processes
Project Lead: A/Prof Phil van Eyk
Sub-projects
5.1 Battery and Black mass Pretreatment for Hydrometallurgy process.
5.2 Investigating and Optimising existing Hydrometallurgy Processes
5.3 Kinetics for Battery Grade Product processes for precursor cathode active materials
Project 6
Processing end of life lithium ion batteries in existing smelters
Project Lead: A/Prof Phil van Eyk
Sub-projects
6.1 Processing end of life lithium ion batteries in existing smelters (process development)
6.2 Processing end of life lithium ion batteries in existing smelters (proof of concept)
Project 7
Integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies for the sustainable supply chain of the battery materials
Project Lead: Prof David Lewis
Sub-projects
7.1 Enhancing Sustainability and Transparency in Recycled Battery Materials Supply Chain through ESG and LCA Integration
Project 8
Resynthesizing Materials and Developing New Battery Materials and Cells for Easy Recycling
Project Leads: Prof Dewei Chu, A/Prof Judith Hart, Dr Emma Lovell, Dr Zhi Li
Sub-projects
8.1 Design of new cooling materials and systems for more durable and safer batteries (UNSW-PCI Green)
8.2 Development of high-value Mn-based cathode materials from recycled lithium-ion batteries (UNSW-BenAn).
8.3 Development of seawater battery from recycled cathode materials. (UNSW-Pure Power)
8.4 PhD, TBC
8.5 PhD, TBC
Project 9
Sustainable Battery Recycling and Eco-Friendly Lithium Recovery Solutions
Project Leads: Prof Huijun Li, A/Prof Hongtao Zhu, Dr Senevi Kiridena
Sub-projects
9.1 Reverse Logistics Network Design for End-of Life Battery Management in Australia; Optimising Economic Opportunities and Environmental Outcomes (UoW – Gravitas)
9.2 Recovery of Lithium using ball milling technique under controlled atmosphere (UoW – Gravitas).