Lingnan University Scholar Wins Award for AI-Powered Battery Recycling Solution
4 min read
A scholar from Lingnan University won the prize for designing an AI model to recycle old batteries and reduce environmental pollution.
LINGNAN University recently made headlines with the successful completion of an innovative project in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) coupled with the extension of retired battery life. This project falls under a larger plan of making the recycling processes of a battery more efficient and also streamlines methods of producing less waste when used batteries are discarded. Since the world began to accept using electric vehicles, the demand for lithium-ion batteries increased.
Due to this increase, the discarded ones heaped up to considerable quantities. Recycling" the supposedly "retired" batteries, has been sizzling in the minds of many, and to make that happen, Assistant Professor Tang Xiaopeng of Science Unit of Lingnan University Hong Kong, teamed up with researchers at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, recently publishing a landmark paper, "Lifespan-based Battery Classification towards Second-life Utilization, winning the Best Paper Award at the very prestigious 2024 IEEE 25th China Conference on System Simulation Technology and its Application, CCSSTA. It was one of only four papers out of 278 submissions to win any prize.
The project will, therefore, center on the development of an AI model that accurately predicts the degradation of batteries, especially those used in Electric Vehicles (EV). This, therefore, enhances better understanding of the condition in a battery, thus facilitating a better recycling practice and prolongation of the usability of the retired battery. This is essential since the global demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to rise, and the environment in which battery disposal leaves is becoming a huge matter of urgency.
Features of the AI Model
Prof Tang said: “The production and manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries is a very energy-consuming process. Therefore the batteries must have a sufficiently long lifespan to ensure their entire lifecycle can make a positive contribution to energy conservation and emission reduction. However, the bottleneck issue of the retired battery is its highly inconsistent service life. Unfortunately battery classification algorithms considering a battery’s lifespan are very limited. These findings break through the technical limitations in examining the effectiveness of retired batteries, which not only improves battery management practices but also contributes to a more sustainable energy future.”
Features of the AI model include
1.Accuracy in Prediction
The accuracy of predictions by the AI model is good, having an error average rate of 0.94%. This is indispensable for the predicted state-of-health (SoH) of the battery to be effectively used in proper management and recycling systems.
2. Data-Driven Insights
In the case of algorithmic machine learning, in return the model can gain insights by observing vast databases to understand the pattern in battery performance over a period of time.Data-driven approach one that indeed minimizes the extent of physical testing that tends to be long and costly in nature.
3. Environmental Impact
The Project on rechargeable battery reuse and recycling is in tandem with the latest global goals since it basically supports the reuse and recycling of spent batteries. In addition to achieving optimum residual value through spending spent batteries, the project also tends to minimize hazardous environment contamination arising from spent batteries.
4.Industrial cooperation
this research by Lingnan University is part of a wider industrial effort to collaborate with such partners, for instance, auto companies, in research to application with regard to improved battery performance and sustainability.
Broader Implications
The inferences from this project stretch beyond management of a battery to deeper policy implications towards the bigger view of efficient means of battery life management in recycling in view of boosting electric vehicles soon to become commonly accepted, which will cut carbon footprint and heighten long-term sustainability targets. In reality, this could be one of the biggest leaps forward to foster these technological aspects.
Future Directions
The research team plans to carry on this work further with a focus on advanced applications of AI in battery technology. Further developments may include optimum charging protocols and efficient thermal management systems for longer battery life
Research into advanced BMSs will most likely be part of the efforts to make efficiency greater and waste fewer.
In summary, the winning project of Lingnan University actually expounds how new technologies like AI play a part in sustainable energy storage and management. The effort is on the extension of battery life and makes the recycling process better, dealing both with today's environment and paving the way for tomorrow's energy consumption.
References
Battery Research Could Have Revolutionary Impact - University of East London
Opportunities Offered by Artificial Intelligence in Battery Recycling - CIC Energigune
