SES AI partners with WPI to develop lithium-metal battery recycling technology

Boston-based lithium-metal battery manufacturer SES AI Corp. has announced plans to fund a new research initiative at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) to develop a “state-of-the-art” recycling technology for lithium-metal batteries. The initiative will be led by Dr. Yan Wang, the William Smith Foundation Dean’s Professor of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.

According to SES AI, recycling for lithium-ion batteries exists at an early stage, but recycling technology for lithium-metal batteries has not yet been developed. Recycling these batteries can be critical in reducing the shortage of raw materials and environmental issues. SES says the technology that will be developed from this project will address such issues by creating a closed-loop, safe and environmentally responsible recycling process that will recover most the battery materials and allowing them to be reused in lithium metal battery manufacturing.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with WPI, Professor Wang and his team of experts on this initiative to develop a critical new battery recycling technology that will allow SES AI to implement a more sustainable and efficient approach to battery manufacturing,” says Qichao Hu, founder and CEO of SES AI. “Not only will this allow us to create a more environmentally friendly process, but it will also enable us to use recycled materials that will outperform the current commercial materials we use.”

SES AI notes that Wang is a globally recognized materials researcher, and the co-founder of Massachusetts-based companies AM Batteries Inc. and Ascend Elements. His research lab at WPI focuses on the study of new electrodes and materials for energy storage, including lithium-ion batteries; supercapacitors; flow batteries; battery manufacturing; battery safety and recycling; and fundamental electrochemistry.

“I feel honored and excited to work with SES AI, a global leader on lithium-metal battery recycling,” Wang says. “With the adoption of lithium metal batteries, it is critical to develop recycling strategies to recycle such batteries in order to enable the supply chain and reduce the environmental impacts. With my experience and expertise on lithium-ion battery recycling, I am confident that we will develop a solid strategy for the end-of-life lithium-metal batteries.”