Batteries

The growing demand for batteries has highlighted the need for effective end-of-life management. To address this challenge, NIST is advancing measurement science and standards to improve the reuse and recycling of these batteries, which are increasingly prevalent in modern technology.

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Research Activities

Several initiatives are underway at NIST to support the development of a more circular and sustainable battery industry. These activities include:

Battery Black Mass Analysis

Advancements in analytical techniques are crucial for measuring key elements, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, in black mass - a material derived from shredded batteries and manufacturing scrap. More accurate methods will strengthen the U.S. battery supply chain by ensuring that critical minerals remain within the domestic economy. To achieve this, state-of-the-art analytical techniques are employed to assess and refine the analytical methods used by industry. Read more. Contact: Jamie Weaver.

Modeling Electric Vehicle Battery Life Cycle and Recovery

A deep insight into the complex processes involved in electric vehicle battery recovery and recycling is essential for developing effective end-of-life management strategies. To address this need, a reference model of activities, material and data flows to enable battery circularity is in development. The model is described using the public-domain modeling language IDEF0. This model provides a baseline framework for understanding and discussing the interplay between design for a circular economy, material recovery pathways, information tracking, and standards needs, ultimately supporting more effective end-of-life battery management. Read more. Contact: Matthew Triebe.

Decision Science for Electric Vehicles

This effort aims to understand consumer perspectives on electric vehicles (EVs), with a focus on battery performance. The project involves a consumer survey and analysis of the resulting data to provide insights into consumer attitudes and preferences regarding EVs. Contact: Christina Gore 

LCA of Large-Format Batteries 

NIST is developing life cycle assessment (LCA) models for large-format batteries to improve the standardization and comparability of LCA results. The project involves creating OpenLCA models using publicly available data, with an initial focus on lithium nickel manganese cobalt (Li-NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, assessing the impact of onshoring and recycling on environmental performance, and identifying data gaps to inform future research and improve the trustworthiness of LCA results. Contact: Joshua Kneifel

Battery Traceability

Improving material traceability across the battery supply chain is of increasing concern to the battery industry and original equipment manufacturers (e.g., automakers). By tracking battery materials throughout their lifecycle, stakeholders can gain valuable insights that inform decision-making and strengthen supply chain resilience. NIST’s efforts to improve material traceability focus on identifying challenges related to collecting, storing, and sharing relevant material and product data and advancing measurements and standards to address them. Read more. Contact: Kelsea Schumacher.

Documentary Standards Engagements

Visit our Standards Resources page to see which battery circularity-related documentary standards committees NIST is currently engaged in.

Related NIST Workshops

Visit the Workshops page to learn about NIST workshops relevant to battery circularity.

Reference Materials & Reference Data

NIST is exploring the need for new black mass reference materials or reference data. Contact: Jamie Weaver.

Tools & Capabilities

NIST experimental equipment and capabilities relevant to battery circularity are described on the Tools & Capabilities page.