EIC Update
Epic fund-raising cycle for EIC Scottish training officer Frankie Greig has raised thousands of pounds for the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC), which helped him to face his mental health issues.
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rankie Greig, who oversees apprentices for the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), raised much- needed funds for the EIC by cycling 324 miles from Venice to Milan in the Italian Lakes Cycle Event.
The dad-of-three, said he undertook the gruelling challenge to repay the charity after it helped him with his own wellbeing.
Frankie, 41, said: “The EIC is all about helping people when they need it most and I’ve benefited from their support as I suffer from poor mental health. I know that the EIC has also done a lot for my apprentices as well as some of the adult trainees at West College Scotland, so I’m delighted I can give something back to the charity for its support.” During the five-day challenge in October, Frankie said he learned quickly to go at his own pace and
News Extra
Upcycling battery materials for next-generation EV batteries
University of Birmingham researchers have demonstrated a method to upcycle end-of-life battery waste into materials that can be used for ‘next- generation’ battery cathodes.
T
he team used the recovered material from end-of-life EV batteries to synthesise compounds with a disordered rocksalt (DRX) structure. DRX materials are seen as a promising alternative to the regular layered structure of conventional cathode materials.
The cathode, which is the part of batteries that supply electrical current, is the primary limitation to achieving the high-energy, low-cost lithium ion (LI) batteries needed for the transition to zero emissions at tailpipe. For EV batteries, the challenge is to design a high energy battery cathode that will maintain its ability to discharge electricity over a large number of charge-discharge cycles. For recycling experts, the challenge is to design recycling processes for lithium-ion batteries when they reach the end of their useful life.
20 | electrical wholesaler March 2024
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have taken these challenges one step further, by tasking themselves with the objective of ‘upcycling’ recovered battery materials, so the waste streams from current EV batteries can be used to manufacture new high-performance batteries. The research is published in ChemRxiV.
The research team led by Professor Peter Slater has now shown that recycled material from a cathode containing lithium manganese oxide (LMO) and nickel-rich ‘layered’ oxide (LO), can be upcycled to lithium manganese nickel oxides (LMNO) – a high-voltage cathode material which is attracting high levels of commercial interest. For the study, the researchers used citric acid (a natural component of citrus fruits) as a leaching agent to further reduce the number of steps in the process, which they applied to cathodes from an
end-of-life Gen 1 Nissan Leaf (2011 model, 40,000 miles), and used the recovered LMO as a starting point for LMNO synthesis. They then used the recovered material to synthesise compounds with a DRX structure.
Results of electrochemical testing showed high performance, comparable to materials prepared from conventional high purity reagents, demonstrating the applicability of this new approach.
the tactic worked as he successfully completed the trek, raising £2,880 for the EIC.
He revealed: “There was a big hill every day and they ranged from not bad to really steep then on to pretty vicious. I think the first day was the worst as the road just kept on climbing for seven miles. However, it was the best feeling when we got to the top and could then freewheel down the other side at 30-40mph, giving your legs a welcome rest.” “There were times I doubted I could complete the challenge, but every evening I was buoyed up by the messages of support on social media from my family, colleagues and friends in the industry. I would encourage anyone in the electrical world that has considered taking part in one of these challenges to sign up and help the EIC continue the amazing work they do.”
The Electrical Industries Charity provides crucial
support to individuals in the electrical industries during times of need. Whether it’s financial assistance, mental health support or career development, they are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those they serve. If you’re feeling like you need support, you can call the EIC helpline on 0800 652 1618 or email at
support@electricalcharity.org
ewnews.co.uk
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