Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to opening lithium-ion batteries in an end-of-life process using a fluid cutting apparatus. One example provides a method of opening a battery in an end-of-life process where the battery comprises a plurality of electrode layers. The method comprises placing the battery in a fluid cutting apparatus, and forming a stream of a cutting fluid. The method further comprises impinging the stream of the cutting fluid onto the battery at a sufficient pressure to form a cut entirely through all layers of the battery, wherein the cutting fluid forms a passivating layer at an interface formed by the cut by reacting with one or more electrode materials within the battery.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to methods and reactors for recycling a positive electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. One example provides a method of recycling a positive electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. The positive electrode material comprises a metal m having a n+ oxidation state (mn+). A reaction mixture is formed comprising the positive electrode material, an oxidizing agent, and lithium ions. The positive electrode material is electrochemically replenished with lithium via electrochemical reduction of the lithium ions while maintaining the n+ oxidation state of the metal m in the positive electrode material via the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed of methods to recycle positive-electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. One example provides a method including relithiating the positive-electrode material in a solution comprising lithium ions and an oxidizing agent, and after relithiating, separating the positive-electrode material from the solution.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to methods and reactors for recycling a positive electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. One example provides a method of recycling a positive electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. The positive electrode material comprises a metal m having a n+ oxidation state (mn+). A reaction mixture is formed comprising the positive electrode material, an oxidizing agent, and lithium ions. The positive electrode material is electrochemically replenished with lithium via electrochemical reduction of the lithium ions while maintaining the n+ oxidation state of the metal m in the positive electrode material via the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed of methods to recycle positive-electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. One example provides a method including relithiating the positive-electrode material in a solution comprising lithium ions and an oxidizing agent, and after relithiating, separating the positive-electrode material from the solution.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed of methods to deactivate a lithium-containing battery. One example provides a method for discharging a lithium-containing battery, the method comprising adding the lithium-containing battery to a vessel, adding an oxidizing fluid to the vessel, adding carbon dioxide to the vessel, pressurizing the vessel, heating the vessel to form lithium carbonate within the lithium-containing battery, reducing heat and pressure in the vessel, and removing the battery from the vessel.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed of methods to recycle positive-electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. One example provides a method including relithiating the positive-electrode material in a solution comprising lithium ions and an oxidizing agent, and after relithiating, separating the positive-electrode material from the solution.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed of methods to recycle coated positive-electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. One example provides a method including relithiating the coated positive-electrode material in a solution comprising lithium ions, and after relithiating, separating the coated positive-electrode material from the solution. In some examples, coated positive-electrode materials may be reinstated using lower process temperatures than uncoated positive-electrode material.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed of methods to recycle positive-electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. One example provides a method including relithiating the positive-electrode material in a solution comprising lithium ions and an oxidizing agent, and after relithiating, separating the positive-electrode material from the solution.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to identifying batteries of different chemistries such as in a battery recycling stream. One example provides a method for differentiating between batteries of different chemistries, the method comprising determining an expected mass of a sample of one or more batteries based upon an expected chemistry of the sample of one or more batteries, weighing the sample of one or more batteries to determine a sample mass, comparing the sample mass to the expected mass, and if the sample mass does not match the expected mass within a threshold range, then determining that the sample contains one or more batteries of a different chemistry than the expected chemistry.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed of methods to recycle positive-electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. In one example, the positive-electrode material is heated under pressure in a concentrated lithium hydroxide solution. After heating, the positive-electrode material is separated from the concentrated lithium hydroxide solution. After separating, the positive electrode material is rinsed in a basic liquid. After rinsing, the positive-electrode material is dried and sintered.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed of methods to recycle positive-electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. One example provides a method including relithiating the positive-electrode material in a solution comprising lithium ions and an oxidizing agent, and after relithiating, separating the positive-electrode material from the solution.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to recycling and refurbishing battery electrode materials. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method comprising obtaining a quantity of spent electrode material, reacting the spent electrode material with an aqueous lithium solution in an autoclave while heating the spent electrode material and the aqueous lithium solution to form a hydrothermally reacted spent electrode material, removing the hydrothermally reacted spent electrode material from the aqueous lithium solution, and sintering the hydrothermally reacted spent material to form a recycled electrode material.

Abstract: Methods for making a recycled or refurbished electrode material for an energy-storage device are provided. One example method comprises harvesting a lithium-deficient electrode material from a recycling or waste stream, and replenishing at least some lithium in the lithium-deficient electrode material. A second example method comprises breeching an enclosure of a cell of an energy storage device, replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material of the cell, and sealing the enclosure of the cell.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed of methods to recycle positive-electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. In one example, the positive-electrode material is heated under pressure in a concentrated lithium hydroxide solution. After heating, the positive-electrode material is separated from the concentrated lithium hydroxide solution. After separating, the positive electrode material is rinsed in a basic liquid. After rinsing, the positive-electrode material is dried and sintered.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to identifying batteries of different chemistries such as in a battery recycling stream. One example provides a method for differentiating between batteries of different chemistries, the method comprising determining an expected mass of a sample of one or more batteries based upon an expected chemistry of the sample of one or more batteries, weighing the sample of one or more batteries to determine a sample mass, comparing the sample mass to the expected mass, and if the sample mass does not match the expected mass within a threshold range, then determining that the sample contains one or more batteries of a different chemistry than the expected chemistry.

Abstract: Methods for making a recycled or refurbished electrode material for an energy-storage device are provided. One example method comprises harvesting a lithium-deficient electrode material from a recycling or waste stream, and replenishing at least some lithium in the lithium-deficient electrode material. A second example method comprises breeching an enclosure of a cell of an energy storage device, replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material of the cell, and sealing the enclosure of the cell.

Abstract: Methods for making a recycled or refurbished electrode material for an energy-storage device are provided. One example method comprises harvesting a lithium-deficient electrode material from a recycling or waste stream, and replenishing at least some lithium in the lithium-deficient electrode material. A second example method comprises breeching an enclosure of a cell of an energy storage device, replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material of the cell, and sealing the enclosure of the cell.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to devices for discharging batteries. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a battery discharge device including a positive battery contact for forming an electrical contact with a positive battery terminal of a battery, a negative battery contact for forming an electrical contact with a negative battery terminal of the battery, and a battery discharge indicator including a resistive heating material in electrical communication with the positive battery contact and with the negative battery contact, and also including a reversible thermochromic indicator in thermal communication with the resistive heating material.

Abstract: Embodiments related to recycling alkaline batteries are disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, a method for recycling a battery having a basic electrolyte comprises rupturing the battery under anaerobic conditions and flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide in an anaerobic chamber.