Li and Co Extraction

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Li and Co Extraction using Glycine and Sodium Metabisulfide Tech ID: UA20-213 Invention: This invention is an environmentally friendly organic acid with a reducing agent that can extract lithium and cobalt from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIB). This invention has lower environmental impact and has improved efficiency. Background: Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) have provided a means to move electronics from stationary to portable. Lithium and cobalt are the two key battery commodities. With automation being incorporated into any different industries, such as electronic vehicles, there will be an increase demand for these commodities. Environmental restrictions and economic benefits have made companies focus on recycling processes from spent LIB’s to decrease the need to purchase raw material. Historically, most of these technologies are lacking efficiency and eco-friendliness. A major focus on this process has been towards using organic acids, and materials. Which is a result of new political policies restricting, or causing high costs, to using inorganic material. There is a need to find an environmentally friendly method for lithium and cobalt extraction for recycling Li-ion batteries.