# Recycling Lithium-Ion Battery Parts Using a Gentle Liquid Method > This patent describes a method for taking apart used lithium-ion batteries by soaking their electrodes in a special liquid to separate valuable materials like active electrode powders from metal collectors, making them easier to reuse. - **Patent:** US 12327847 - **Original title:** Method of recycling materials from lithium-ion batteries - **Owner:** UT Battelle - **Granted:** 2025 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, automotive, energy, materials, telecommunications ## What it does The patent describes a method for recycling lithium-ion battery materials. It starts by taking a "composite electrode," which includes both anode and cathode parts, and mixing it with an "aqueous buffer solution" (Claim 1). This solution helps to "delaminate" (separate) the active electrode material from its metal "current collector." Specifically, the anode active material is separated from its current collector first, then removed (Claim 1). Afterward, a "surfactant" is added to the mixture, and the cathode active material is separated from its current collector (Claim 1). Both the separated active materials and the metal current collectors are then recovered, potentially by sieving or filtration (Claim 8). For example, if you have a used electric vehicle battery, this method would let you get back the graphite from the anode and the lithium cobalt oxide from the cathode, along with the copper and aluminum foils. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover recycling methods that use strong acids or high temperatures to separate battery materials, as it specifies an aqueous buffer solution and mild temperatures (Claim 1, 2, 5). - Does not cover methods where anode and cathode materials are delaminated simultaneously, as Claim 1 specifies they are "delaminated sequentially in that order." - Does not cover recycling processes that do not involve an aqueous buffer solution to initiate the delamination (Claim 1). - Does not cover methods that do not separate the electrode material from the current collector; the core step is "delaminating the electrode material from the current collector" (Claim 1). ## The clever bit The novelty lies in the sequential, gentle delamination process using an aqueous buffer solution, optionally with a surfactant, at relatively mild temperatures. This allows for the separation of active materials from current collectors without destroying them, making recovery easier and potentially more cost-effective than harsher methods. ## Real-world examples 1. Recycling facilities for electric vehicle batteries 2. Recycling plants for smartphone and laptop batteries 3. Pilot programs for urban mining of electronic waste ## Why it matters Lithium-ion batteries power most modern portable electronics and electric vehicles. As more batteries are produced, there's a growing need to efficiently recycle their valuable and sometimes toxic components like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This patent offers a potentially less energy-intensive and safer way to recover these materials compared to traditional methods that often involve high temperatures or strong, corrosive chemicals. This could reduce environmental impact and improve the supply chain for critical battery materials. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Recycling Lithium-Ion Battery Parts Using a Gentle Liquid Method cover? This patent describes a method for taking apart used lithium-ion batteries by soaking their electrodes in a special liquid to separate valuable materials like active electrode powders from metal collectors, making them easier to reuse. ### Who owns patent US 12327847? UT Battelle owns this patent, granted in 2025. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on March 29, 2042, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? Lithium-ion batteries power most modern portable electronics and electric vehicles. As more batteries are produced, there's a growing need to efficiently recycle their valuable and sometimes toxic components like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This patent offers a potentially less energy-intensive and safer way to recover these materials compared to traditional methods that often involve high temperatures or strong, corrosive chemicals. This could reduce environmental impact and improve the supply chain for critical battery materials. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover recycling methods that use strong acids or high temperatures to separate battery materials, as it specifies an aqueous buffer solution and mild temperatures (Claim 1, 2, 5). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12327847/method-of-recycling-materials-from-lithium-ion-batteries **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12327847 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries to Make New Cathode Materials](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10522884/method-and-apparatus-for-recycling-lithium-ion-batteries) — This patent describes a method for recycling used lithium-ion batteries by dissolving their cathode materials, adjusting the metal ratios in a liquid, and then pulling out a custom mix of materials for new batteries without needing extreme heat. - [How Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes Are Made](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4357215/lithium-ion-cathode-goodenough) — A foundational 1982 method for creating the materials used in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries by removing ions at low temperatures. - [Mobile Factories for Recycling Used Electric Vehicle Batteries](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20250246702/movable-battery-pack-processing-device-and-processing-method) — This patent describes a system of movable containers that can be brought to a location to safely discharge, cool, disassemble, and crush used battery packs, making the recycling process more flexible and efficient. - [Making Safer Battery Separators with Ceramic Coatings](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11094998/ceramic-coated-separators-for-lithium-containing-electrochemical-cells-and-metho) — This patent describes how to make a special ceramic coating for battery separators using specific lithium-containing materials and a precise drying process to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries. - [Improving Lithium Battery Life with a Built-in Lithium Source](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10593988/electrochemical-cell-for-lithium-based-batteries) — This patent describes a method for building rechargeable lithium-based batteries with a special extra lithium source electrode inside that helps the main battery parts work better and last longer by giving them an initial charge of lithium ions.