Applied Materials

Materials Recycling R&D

Reducing waste streams through process innovation and adaptive reuse.

Many materials entering the waste stream could be reused effectively with the right recovery and re-manufacturing processes. Materials Recycling R&D researchers at Argonne National Laboratory explore the potential to turn waste into raw material from items such as used batteries, electronic scrap and industrial shredder residue to create sustainable solutions to keeping end-of-life materials out of landfills.

Focus Areas

  • Analysis
    What are the needs for resource-efficient and economically feasible recycling systems for end-of-life materials?
  • Modeling
    Argonne’s closed-loop Li-ion ReCell battery model assesses cost and environmental impacts associated with all lifecycle stages and processing steps for recycling end-of-life Li-ion batteries.
  • Processes
    What recycling processes exist today, and what are their advantages, disadvantages and costs?
  • Safety
    What are the safety concerns related to recycling end-of-life materials, both for people involved in the processes and for the environment?
Feature Story

Closing the loop on battery recycling

A novel model developed at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory allows industry, the Department and others to gauge the impact of recycling batteries in electric vehicles. It could further energize this market.