Toyota announced that Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA), including Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) R&D, will receive $4.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The funding is part of the Catalyzing Innovative Research for Circular Use of Long-lived Advanced Rechargeables (CIRCULAR) Program. This supports a circular domestic supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Project Administration and Collaboration

TEMA’s Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA) will administer the project titled “Development of an Autonomous Robotic Disassembly Process for Applications in Battery Pack Circularity.” Collaborators include Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Baker Hughes’ Waygate Technologies.

Project Goals: Enhancing Battery Circularity

Funding for the initiative aims to create a template for a 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) facility. This will address bottlenecks in battery supply chain circularity. The focus areas include automating battery pack disassembly, data-driven battery classification, and addressing cell degradation.

Tools and Procedures for Battery Reuse

The project will develop tools and procedures such as automated pack disassembly, advanced diagnostic tools, and protocols for module and cell 3R classifications. A refabrication method for 3R cells into new energy systems is also part of the plan. These innovations aim to systematically evaluate, classify, and reuse end-of-life lithium-ion batteries before recycling.

Insights on Circular Battery Solutions

“As it stands, this project and program will highlight avenues for everyone to rethink their approach to battery circularity and help prioritize the extension of battery life, facilitate battery reuse and reduce battery waste while unveiling the appropriate pathways to achieve such priorities,” said Nik Singh, principal scientist at TRINA. “This is only made possible by the collaboration between the exceptional teams comprised within this project group.”

Industrial Application: From Research to Industry

TMNA’s Battery Lifecycle Solutions (BLS) Business Development Team will apply the concepts developed in industrial settings.