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Dr. Rinlee Butch Cervera
University of the Philippines Diliman |
Speech Title: Development
of High-Performance Regenerated Cathodes from Waste EV Lithium-Ion
Batteries for All-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries
Abstract: The
rapid global adoption of electric vehicles has made end-of-life
lithium-ion batteries both an urgent environmental challenge and a
strategic materials opportunity. This study investigated cathode
regeneration from spent EV lithium-ion batteries as a sustainable route
for producing functional cathode materials for next-generation
all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLBs). Waste battery materials
were systematically recovered, separated, purified, and reconditioned
through targeted regeneration and relithiation processes to restore
their structural integrity and electrochemical functionality. Using this
approach, both LiFePO₄
(LFP) and Nickel-rich manganese oxide (NMC) cathodes were successfully
regenerated from waste EV battery black mass. X-ray diffraction (XRD)
confirmed retention of the orthorhombic olivine LFP structure. For NMC
precursor recovery, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis indicated an
Ni:Mn:Co atomic ratio of approximately 76:10:14. The regenerated
materials exhibited good crystallinity, and complementary
characterization by SEM/EDS, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy confirmed
promising recovery of morphological, structural, and compositional
properties. Hydrothermal relithiation successfully restored the olivine
structure of regenerated LFP and improved the crystallinity and layered
cation ordering of regenerated NMC, with EDS mapping revealing
significantly reduced Mn segregation relative to the pristine waste
black mass. When incorporated into all-solid-state cell configurations,
the regenerated cathodes delivered promising electrochemical
performance. Collectively, these results establish a viable circular
materials pathway in which spent EV batteries are transformed into
high-value cathode materials for safer and more sustainable
next-generation energy storage systems.
Biography: Dr.
Rinlee Butch Cervera is a Full Professor at the Department of Mining,
Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, University of the Philippines
Diliman, where he also heads the Energy Storage & Conversion Ma-terials
Research Laboratory. He currently serves as Program Coordinator of the
Energy Engineering Graduate Program at UP Diliman. A distinguished
researcher, innovator, and academic leader in materials and energy
engineering, Dr. Cervera has led numerous research and development
initiatives in renewable and alternative clean energy. His work focuses
on energy storage systems, including fuel cells, hydrogen energy,
lithium-based batteries, battery recycling and mining, valuable metals
recovery, and waste-to-energy conversion. He is also actively engaged in
techno-economic feasibility studies, multi-criteria decision analysis,
and technology assess-ment in energy-related fields. Dr. Cervera
obtained his BS in Materials Engineering from UP Diliman, his MS from
Universiti Sains Malaysia, and his PhD from the University of Tokyo. He
also completed postdoctoral fel-lowships at the University of Tokyo and
the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan. Recognized
for his technical expertise and scientific leadership, Dr. Cervera has
received several prestigious honors, includ-ing the DOST Balik Scientist
Award, the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the National Academy
of Science and Technology (NAST), the TWAS Young Affiliate Award, the
David M. Consunji Award for Engineer-ing Research, and recognition as
one of the Top 100 Asian Scientists in 2023. He actively serves on the
tech-nical committees of various international and national conferences
and workshops and is a member of several technical working groups that
help shape research agendas, policy recommendations, and standards in
energy, materials, and sustainability. He is also a member of leading
professional organizations, including the Philippine-American Academy of
Science and Engineering (PAASE), the Philippine Association for the
Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST), the Solid State Ionics
Society, The Electrochemical Society (ECS), and the Energy Research
Institutes Network (ERIN). He is the founding president of the Institute
of Materials Engi-neers of the Philippines (IMEP) and currently serves
as Editor-in-Chief of the Philippine Engineering Journal (PEJ). |