Brescia, Italy - Researchers at the University of Brescia, led by Elza Bontempi, have discovered a new material capable of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) during an unrelated study on innovative recycling methods for used batteries. The project recently received approximately €900,000 in funding from the Ministry of University and Research, as part of the Fisa-2022 projects, aimed at developing a prototype for a new lithium recovery technology from exhausted batteries.
During the research, the team noticed that after washing the material with acid and storing it in a refrigerator, a pinkish crystal precipitate formed. Using artificial intelligence (AI), they identified the material as unique, with no known equivalents. The AI also assisted in exploring potential applications of the compound, consistent with circular economy principles. Two main options emerged: one in the pharmaceutical field, which was dismissed due to the material's origins from waste, and the other as a catalyst to reduce CO2 emissions.
Bontempi stated, “This study highlights the significant potential of AI in discovering new materials derived from the recycling of used lithium batteries. AI methodologies have enabled the identification of a new structure, which has been experimentally validated.” This marks the first instance where AI has directly contributed to identifying a new material, as detailed in a scientific article published in Environmental Research.
While the new material has yet to be named, preliminary results regarding its applications are promising, suggesting it could serve as a catalyst for CO2 reduction and facilitate the production of innovative, low-cost materials through the sustainable recycling of batteries.
Collaborations with the University of Catania and the University of Milan-Bicocca are underway to further validate AI-provided usage forecasts. This integration of AI underscores its transformative potential in the sustainable recovery and reuse of materials, enhancing efficiency, precision, and innovation in materials science.