Cornell's DEER method revives aging EV battery electrodes without shredding

Cornell researchers unveiled Direct Electrode-to-Electrode Regeneration (DEER), a method to restore aging lithium‑ion EV battery electrodes by removing thick SEI layers in a DMI bath, enabling regenerated cells to reach up to 95% of original capacity with slower degradation; the process requires disassembly and is best when SEI buildup is the main aging factor, not for cells with lithium loss or structural damage, and could cut refurbishment costs to about $15/kg (vs ~ $26/kg for conventional recycling) if solvent reuse is feasible.