Kasim Adewuyi, a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering, will defend their dissertation titled “Optimizing the Total Life Cycle of Li-Ion Batteries: From Constant Gradient Charging to Aged Cell Performance Restoration.” Their advisor, Dr. Jonghyun Park, is an associate professor in the mechanical and aerospace engineering department. The dissertation abstract is provided below.

As demand for Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) have skyrocketed over the past decade, the need for better charging methodologies and recycling methods have become of critical concern. These approaches seek to address the environmental and health concerns that derive from battery usage.

Firstly, this dissertation focuses on improving battery performance with a new charging profile. This profile greatly reduces charging time with the eventual goal of parity with traditional vehicles at a fueling time of about 6 minutes. Additionally, this profile seeks to address environmental concerns by limiting degradation which lessens the demand for, and pollution caused by more mining.

Secondly, the dissertation focuses on remanufacturing which prevents waste from accumulating in landfills where it can seep into the groundwater or give off carcinogenic particulates when burned. There are three main methods of recycling LIBs which are physical (pyro-metallurgy), chemical (hydrometallurgy), and direct. Physical and Chemical methodologies tend to suffer from high cost, complicated processes, and safety concerns from waste products plus the release of dangerous chemicals. They also destroy the critical underlying crystal structures that enhance the effectiveness of electrode material. Therefore, our direct recycling approach focuses on the direct recycling methodology which can leave these useful features intact but also reduces cost and safety concerns from dangerous byproducts.