Considering the tendency of people to buy a new phone every couple of years, it’s no wonder there are so many leftover batteries from old cellphones. These batteries are toxic when they end up in landfills, and typically require harsh processes to recycle. Scientists at Rice University have been searching for new ways to deal with the glut of used lithium-ion batteries from old electronics for the past few years, and now it seems they’ve finally found a good solution. Basically, the researchers have come up with a solvent that can extract more than 90 percent of cobalt from powdered compounds, and a small but still significant amount from used batteries. Cobalt and other strategic metals are limited in supply and crucial for energy-storage devices, which is why this new solvent is such a big deal; it presents a way of dealing with old batteries sustainably while providing precious metals for new batteries.
Scientists developed a solvent that extracts precious metals from old batteries
More of Today's Solutions
Mexico bans dolphin shows in historic vote to protect marine mammals
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a landmark move for animal welfare, the Mexican Senate voted unanimously to ban dolphin and other marine ...
Read MoreSweet solutions: 8 delightful ways to use honey for glowing skin and shiny hair
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM There’s a reason honey has stood the test of time in beauty rituals. From ancient queens like Cleopatra ...
Read MoreBeekeepers and airports join forces to save pollinators
Back in 2012, Ben Shertzer, wildlife administrator at Pittsburgh International Airport, found himself dealing with a perplexing problem: swarming bees. The bees would land ...
Read MoreElectric taxis take flight— The greener future of urban air travel
A quiet electric aircraft resembling a bug-like creature glides above the iconic Eiffel Tower and the zinc-grey rooftops of Paris in a stunning spectacle. ...
Read More
