2224840
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR Phase I: Separations of Critical Materials in Lithium-Ion Battery Black Mass - The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to establish domestic recyclability (circularity) for critical energy materials that have majority or total import reliance. Such elements include including cobalt, lithium, manganese, carbon (graphite), and nickel.
Establishing circularity of critical materials can decrease dependence on foreign sources while increasing domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, magnets, catalysts, and superalloys. As the world electrifies light- and heavy-duty vehicles and renewable energy resources increase, the need for battery materials is expected to quadruple over the next decade.
Hydrometallurgical processes are highly nuanced and well-established; the configurations are nearly endless, especially when multiple recycle streams are incorporated. Additionally, customers require tight specifications. As battery chemistries evolve, a process technology that can be shown to be adaptable to variable compositional profiles can help proliferate domestic production to anchor advanced industries.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to fill knowledge gaps in separation chemistries using sulfites. Through exploitation of solubilities, effective and efficient separations of constituents in end-of-life lithium-ion batteries can reduce reagent consumption, decrease equipment sizing, and lead to the formation of battery-grade chemical feedstocks for demonstrated supply chain circularity.
Key to the success of the project is the separation of manganese without resorting to expensive solvent-based techniques. The project will explore the solubilities of Ni/Co/Mn/Li sulfites as a function of temperature and pH, characterize the form of the precipitates, and investigate the oxidation of these sulfite precipitates to a high purity sulfate.
The objectives include determining missing data on empirical solubility from the general material property literature, demonstrating lab-scale selectivity and overall efficacy, and optimizing operational parameters for techno-economic and life-cycle modeling.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Establishing circularity of critical materials can decrease dependence on foreign sources while increasing domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, magnets, catalysts, and superalloys. As the world electrifies light- and heavy-duty vehicles and renewable energy resources increase, the need for battery materials is expected to quadruple over the next decade.
Hydrometallurgical processes are highly nuanced and well-established; the configurations are nearly endless, especially when multiple recycle streams are incorporated. Additionally, customers require tight specifications. As battery chemistries evolve, a process technology that can be shown to be adaptable to variable compositional profiles can help proliferate domestic production to anchor advanced industries.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to fill knowledge gaps in separation chemistries using sulfites. Through exploitation of solubilities, effective and efficient separations of constituents in end-of-life lithium-ion batteries can reduce reagent consumption, decrease equipment sizing, and lead to the formation of battery-grade chemical feedstocks for demonstrated supply chain circularity.
Key to the success of the project is the separation of manganese without resorting to expensive solvent-based techniques. The project will explore the solubilities of Ni/Co/Mn/Li sulfites as a function of temperature and pH, characterize the form of the precipitates, and investigate the oxidation of these sulfite precipitates to a high purity sulfate.
The objectives include determining missing data on empirical solubility from the general material property literature, demonstrating lab-scale selectivity and overall efficacy, and optimizing operational parameters for techno-economic and life-cycle modeling.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Awardee
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Denver,
Colorado
80216-3020
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
None
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have decreased 50% from $550,000 to $275,000.
Reqyrd was awarded
Project Grant 2224840
worth $275,000
from National Science Foundation in March 2023 with work to be completed primarily in Denver Colorado United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I:Separations of Critical Materials in Lithium-ion Battery Black Mass
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to establish domestic recyclability (circularity) for critical energy materials that have majority or total import reliance.Such elements include including cobalt, lithium, manganese, carbon (graphite), and nickel.Establishing circularity of critical materials can decease dependence on foreign sources while increasing domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, magnets, catalysts, and superalloys. As the world electrifies light- and heavy-duty vehicles and renewable energy resources increase, the need for battery materials is expected to quadruple over the next decade. Hydrometallurgical processes are highly nuanced and well-established; The configurations are nearly endless, especially when multiple recycle streams are incorporated. Additionally, customers require tight specifications. As battery chemistries evolve, a process technology that can be shown to be adaptable to variable compositional profiles can help proliferate domestic production to anchor advanced industries. _x000D_ _x000D_ This SBIR Phase I project proposes to fill knowledge gaps in separation chemistries using sulfites. Through exploitation of solubilities, effective and efficient separations of constituents in end-of-life lithium-ion batteries can reduce reagent consumption, decrease equipment sizing, and lead to the formation of battery-grade chemical feedstocks for demonstrated supply chain circularity. Key to the success of the project is the separation of manganese without resorting to expensive solvent-based techniques. The project will explore of the solubilities of Ni/Co/Mn/Li sulfites as a function of temperature and pH, characterize the form of the precipitates, and investigate the oxidation of these sulfite precipitates to a high purity sulfate. The objectives include determining missing data on empirical solubility from the general material property literature, demonstrating lab-scale selectivity and overall efficacy, and optimizing operational parameters for techno-economic and life-cycle modeling._x000D_ _x000D_ This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Topic Code
CT
Solicitation Number
NSF 22-551
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 4/5/23
Period of Performance
3/15/23
Start Date
2/29/24
End Date
Funding Split
$275.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$275.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2224840
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
JGY9QS6CAVN8
Awardee CAGE
8UW72
Performance District
Not Applicable
Budget Funding
Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|
Research and Related Activities, National Science Foundation (049-0100) | General science and basic research | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $275,000 | 100% |
Modified: 4/5/23