Abstract: A method of recovering lithium from a lithium-containing material comprises introducing a lithium-containing material to an electrochemical cell, transporting lithium ions from the lithium-containing material through a cation exchange membrane to a catholyte within a cathode chamber of the electrochemical cell, reacting the lithium ions with bicarbonate ions in the cathode chamber to form lithium carbonate, and removing the lithium carbonate from the catholyte. Related methods of recovering lithium from lithium-containing, materials, and related systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of recovering active materials from a rechargeable battery comprises placing an active material of a rechargeable battery in a cathode chamber comprising a cathode of an electrochemical cell comprising the cathode chamber, an anode chamber comprising an anode, and a membrane separating the cathode chamber from the anode chamber, contacting the active material in the cathode chamber with an electrolyte comprising an acid, ferric ions, and ferrous ions, and dissolving at least one of lithium and cobalt from the active material into the electrolyte. Related apparatuses for recovering metals from active materials of rechargeable batteries are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming an elemental metal (e.g., a rare-earth element) includes forming a multicomponent solution comprising an ionic liquid, a secondary component, and a metal-containing compound. The multicomponent solution is contacted with at least a first electrode and a second electrode. A current is passed between the first electrode to the second electrode through the multicomponent solution. The metal-containing compound is reduced to deposit the elemental metal therefrom on the first electrode.

Abstract: A method of recovering metals from electronic waste comprises providing a powder comprising electronic waste in at least a first reactor and a second reactor and providing an electrolyte comprising at least ferric ions in an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with the first reactor and the second reactor. The method further includes contacting the powders within the first reactor and the second reactor with the electrolyte to dissolve at least one base metal from each reactor into the electrolyte and reduce at least some of the ferric ions to ferrous ions. The ferrous ions are oxidized at an anode of the electrochemical cell to regenerate the ferric ions. The powder within the second reactor comprises a higher weight percent of the at least one base metal than the powder in the first reactor. Additional methods of recovering metals from electronic waste are also described, as well as an apparatus of recovering metals from electronic waste.

Abstract: A method of removing contaminants from a solution comprises passing a solution including one or more contaminants through a first cell comprising a first anode chamber and a first cathode chamber, passing a slurry comprising a flowing electrode material through the first anode chamber and the first cathode chamber while applying an electric potential between the first anode chamber and the first cathode chamber to transport anions from the solution to the first anode chamber and to transport cations from the solution to the first cathode chamber, the flowing electrode material comprising a MXene material, wherein M is a metal and X is one or both of carbon and nitrogen, and passing the slurry through a second cell to desorb the anions and cations from the flowing electrode material. Related systems for removing contaminants from a solution, and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of electrochemically reducing CO2 comprises introducing a first feed stream comprising H2O to a positive electrode of an electrolysis cell comprising the positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a proton conducting membrane. A second feed stream comprising a solvent and a non polar form of a switchable polarity material is directed into a CO2 capture apparatus. A third feed stream comprising CO2 is directed into the CO2 capture apparatus to interact with the second feed stream and form a first product stream comprising the solvent and a polar form of the switchable polarity material. The first product stream is introduced to the negative electrode. A potential difference is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to convert the polar form of the switchable polarity material into CO2 and the non-polar form and to form products from the CO2 and the solvent. A CO2 treatment system is also described.

Abstract: A method of selectively recovering palladium from a palladium-containing material comprises providing a leaching solution comprising hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and an iron salt comprising one or both of ferric chloride or ferrous chloride and contacting a palladium-containing material with the leaching solution to dissolve palladium from the palladium-containing material. Related methods of selectively recovering palladium from a palladium-containing material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of electrochemically reducing CO2 comprises introducing a first feed stream comprising H2O to a positive electrode of an electrolysis cell comprising the positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a proton conducting membrane. A second feed stream comprising a solvent and a non polar form of a switchable polarity material is directed into a CO2 capture apparatus. A third feed stream comprising CO2 is directed into the CO2 capture apparatus to interact with the second feed stream and form a first product stream comprising the solvent and a polar form of the switchable polarity material. The first product stream is introduced to the negative electrode. A potential difference is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to convert the polar form of the switchable polarity material into CO2 and the non-polar form and to form products from the CO2 and the solvent. A CO2 treatment system is also described.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical hydrogenation comprises introducing an organic feed material to an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anion exchange membrane, a cathode in electrical contact with a first side of the anion exchange membrane, and an anode in electrical contact with a second side of the anion exchange membrane opposite the first side of the anion exchange membrane. A current passes through the membrane electrode assembly to convert molecules in the organic feed material to a reduced product comprising reduced molecules containing a higher proportion of hydrogen than the organic feed material. A method of forming a membrane electrode assembly comprises forming an ink mixture comprising carbon and a resin, providing droplets of the ink mixture on a substrate to form a decal, and disposing the decal in contact with an anion exchange membrane.

Abstract: A method of recovering metals from electronic waste comprises providing a powder comprising electronic waste in at least a first reactor and a second reactor and providing an electrolyte comprising at least ferric ions in an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with the first reactor and the second reactor. The method further includes contacting the powders within the first reactor and the second reactor with the electrolyte to dissolve at least one base metal from each reactor into the electrolyte and reduce at least some of the ferric ions to ferrous ions. The ferrous ions are oxidized at an anode of the electrochemical cell to regenerate the ferric ions. The powder within the second reactor comprises a higher weight percent of the at least one base metal than the powder in the first reactor. Additional methods of recovering metals from electronic waste are also described, as well as an apparatus of recovering metals from electronic waste.

Abstract: A method of recovering metals from electronic waste comprises providing a powder comprising electronic waste in at least a first reactor and a second reactor and providing an electrolyte comprising at least ferric ions in an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with the first reactor and the second reactor. The method further includes contacting the powders within the first reactor and the second reactor with the electrolyte to dissolve at least one base metal from each reactor into the electrolyte and reduce at least some of the ferric ions to ferrous ions. The ferrous ions are oxidized at an anode of the electrochemical cell to regenerate the ferric ions. The powder within the second reactor comprises a higher weight percent of the at least one base metal than the powder in the first reactor. Additional methods of recovering metals from electronic waste are also described, as well as an apparatus of recovering metals from electronic waste.

Abstract: A method of forming an elemental metal (e.g., a rare-earth element) includes forming a multicomponent solution comprising an ionic liquid, a secondary component, and a metal-containing compound. The multicomponent solution is contacted with at least a first electrode and a second electrode. A current is passed between the first electrode to the second electrode through the multicomponent solution. The metal-containing compound is reduced to deposit the elemental metal therefrom on the first electrode.

Abstract: A method to separate rare earth material from a rare earth magnet. At least one embodiment comprises a method that heats a provided rare earth magnet to at least 600° C. whereby the rare earth magnet absorbs a dry gas. Separated rare earth materials are created. Magnetic rare earth materials are produced from the separated rare earth materials.

Abstract: A system and process are disclosed for electrochemically upgrading bio-oils and bio-crudes that enhance yields of selected reduction products for subsequent production of bio-based fuels.

Abstract: A method of recovering metals from electronic waste comprises providing a powder comprising electronic waste in at least a first reactor and a second reactor and providing an electrolyte comprising at least ferric ions in an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with the first reactor and the second reactor. The method further includes contacting the powders within the first reactor and the second reactor with the electrolyte to dissolve at least one base metal from each reactor into the electrolyte and reduce at least some of the ferric ions to ferrous ions. The ferrous ions are oxidized at an anode of the electrochemical cell to regenerate the ferric ions. The powder within the second reactor comprises a higher weight percent of the at least one base metal than the powder in the first reactor. Additional methods of recovering metals from electronic waste are also described, as well as an apparatus of recovering metals from electronic waste.

Abstract: A method of recovering metals from electronic waste comprises providing a powder comprising electronic waste in at least a first reactor and a second reactor and providing an electrolyte comprising at least ferric ions in an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with the first reactor and the second reactor. The method further includes contacting the powders within the first reactor and the second reactor with the electrolyte to dissolve at least one base metal from each reactor into the electrolyte and reduce at least some of the ferric ions to ferrous ions. The ferrous ions are oxidized at an anode of the electrochemical cell to regenerate the ferric ions. The powder within the second reactor comprises a higher weight percent of the at least one base metal than the powder in the first reactor. Additional methods of recovering metals from electronic waste are also described, as well as an apparatus of recovering metals from electronic waste.

Abstract: A method of recovering metals from electronic waste comprises providing a powder comprising electronic waste in at least a first reactor and a second reactor and providing an electrolyte comprising at least ferric ions in an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with the first reactor and the second reactor. The method further includes contacting the powders within the first reactor and the second reactor with the electrolyte to dissolve at least one base metal from each reactor into the electrolyte and reduce at least some of the ferric ions to ferrous ions. The ferrous ions are oxidized at an anode of the electrochemical cell to regenerate the ferric ions. The powder within the second reactor comprises a higher weight percent of the at least one base metal than the powder in the first reactor. Additional methods of recovering metals from electronic waste are also described, as well as an apparatus of recovering metals from electronic waste.

Abstract: A system and process are disclosed for electrochemically upgrading bio-oils and bio-crudes that enhance yields of selected reduction products for subsequent production of bio-based fuels.

Abstract: Radionuclide detection devices comprise a fluid cell comprising a flow channel for a fluid stream. A radionuclide collector is positioned within the flow channel and configured to concentrate one or more radionuclides from the fluid stream onto at least a portion of the radionuclide collector. A scintillator for generating scintillation pulses responsive to an occurrence of a decay event is positioned proximate at least a portion of the radionuclide collector and adjacent to a detection system for detecting the scintillation pulses. Methods of selectively detecting a radionuclide are also provided.

Abstract: Radionuclide detection devices comprise a fluid cell comprising a flow channel for a fluid stream. A radionuclide collector is positioned within the flow channel and configured to concentrate one or more radionuclides from the fluid stream onto at least a portion of the radionuclide collector. A scintillator for generating scintillation pulses responsive to an occurrence of a decay event is positioned proximate at least a portion of the radionuclide collector and adjacent to a system for detecting the pulses. Methods of selectively detecting a radionuclide are also provided.