Abstract
The rapid market expansion of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) leads to concerns over the appropriate disposal of hazardous battery waste and the sustainability in the supply of critical materials for LIB production. Technologies and strategies to extend the life of LIBs and reuse the materials have long been sought. Direct recycling is a more effective recycling approach than existing ones with respect to cost, energy consumption, and emissions. This approach has become increasingly more feasible due to digitalization and the adoption of the Internet-of-Things (IoT). To address the question of how IoT could enhance direct recycling of LIBs, we first highlight the importance of direct recycling in tackling the challenges in the supply chain of LIB and discuss the characteristics and application of IoT technologies, which could enhance direct recycling. Finally, we share our perspective on a paradigm where IoT could be integrated into the direct recycling process of LIBs to enhance the efficiency, intelligence, and effectiveness of the recycling process.
Highlights
The rapid market expansion of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) leads to concerns over the appropriate disposal of hazardous battery waste and the sustainability in the supply of critical materials for LIB production
We share our perspective on a paradigm where IoT could be integrated into the direct recycling process of LIBs to enhance the efficiency, intelligence, and effectiveness of the recycling process
It is known that over 60% of global cobalt production is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has a long history of civil war, political instability and infrastructure problems [26]
Summary
The demand for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) has been growing rapidly with the expansion of the electric vehicles (EVs) sector. Internet-of-Things (IoT) refers to a system or group of physical objects (e.g., human beings or machines) which are connected over a network and are able to exchange data with each other remotely and in real-time [22] Such technology could significantly benefit industrial processes, such as battery manufacturing and recycling, of which the complicated procedures require close and continuous monitoring and control. IoT technologies coupled with Blockchain technologies enable reliable and secure human interfaces and valuable data analytics [24] All of these could address the key challenges in scaling up the direct recycling process and generating electrode materials with reliable quality. Our proposed Circular Supply Chain (CSC) framework for EOL LIB provides a more intelligent and effective solution to enable sustainable critical materials supply for LIB production at a large scale
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