- Rice University studies battery recycling.
- Lithium-ion batteries are in cars and phones.
- Old batteries need better recycling.
- Researchers use a two-step heating method.
- First, they heat materials with chlorine gas.
- Then, they heat the material briefly in air.
- Lithium stays as a chloride and dissolves in water.
- The method recovers lithium, cobalt, and graphite.
- It uses less energy and fewer chemicals.
Difficult words
- recycle — To make something useful again.
- researcher — A person who studies and learns about things.Researchers
- process — A series of actions to do something.
- lithium — A type of material often found in batteries.
- method — A way to do something.
- energy — The power to do work or make things move.
- material — Things used to make other things.materials
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why is recycling batteries important?
- How do you think this method helps the planet?
- What other materials do you think can be recycled?
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