Chilean researchers explore second life for lithium-Ion batteries

A multidisciplinary team at the University of Chile is investigating how lithium-ion batteries degrade over time and how they could be repurposed to extend their usefulness and prevent large-scale waste accumulation. This is reported by TV BRICS.

The research, led by the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, aims to anticipate a growing challenge in countries adopting electric mobility. In Santiago, 75 per cent of public transport relies on electric buses, and the number of private electric vehicles is rising. Batteries in these vehicles are typically replaced once they lose about 30 per cent of their capacity – even though they still retain the remaining 70 per cent.

“Large-scale implementation of electromobility brings new challenges and uncertainties that require practical solutions,” said Francisco Jaramillo, a member of the research team. One pressing question, he noted, is what to do with these batteries once they are retired from vehicles but remain functional.

To address this, the team is analysing how different factors – such as temperature, operating time, environmental conditions, and geography – influence battery degradation. The goal is to create a “usage profile” that predicts battery lifespan under specific conditions and determines their potential for a second life.

Potential reuses include serving as backup power sources for critical infrastructure like telecom antennas, or storing energy from wind turbines and solar panels.

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