The challenge of battery recycling and the Role of Modelling

FUNDING: 10 weeks (full time, 37 hrs per week, £12.60 per hour, £700 consumables, £500 student accommodation bursary)
Featured image for “The challenge of battery recycling and the Role of Modelling”
LOCATION: York, UK
SUPERVISOR(S):

Dr. Elham Hosseinzadeh, Dept. of Physics, Engineering and Technology, York


Applications are now closed
Application Form

Managing end-of-life batteries is a significant challenge, especially with the increasing deployment of rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles. Battery recycling is crucial for recovering valuable materials, mitigating environmental impacts, and promoting a circular economy. Due to the diverse chemistries and complex degradation patterns, there is a need for advanced and optimised recycling approaches. This project aims to investigate the role of modelling in increasing the efficiency and scalability of recycling processes. The student will investigate the necessary stages of the recycling process, review models of critical material recovery (lithium, nickel, and cobalt), evaluate the recycling steps, and identify the key parameters for economic assessment.

The internship will involve reviewing the current state of the art to identify ways to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of existing recycling processes using modelling and simulation techniques. Additionally, it will explore the potential of artificial intelligence to further advance and accelerate these processes. This opportunity is ideal for students with an interest in energy storage technologies, computational modelling, and sustainability. Students will need to find their own accommodation and be expected to present their findings orally at a research day in York in September 2025.