Question

Lithium Batteries
1. Identify the Problem – Today, we use lithium batteries in everything electronic including electric cars. Lithium batteries have a big footprint on earth from mining lithium to the battery disposal and recycling.
2. Generate Questions about a Specific Design Problem
- How does lithium impact the environment?
- How can we improve the recycling?
- What can we use that is not lithium?
3. Brainstorm at Least Two Possible Solutions
Make better Recycling Methods: Make advanced methods for recycling lithium batteries that reuses lithium.
Use something other than lithium: Design batteries using something other than lithium that won’t damage our environment as much.
4. Define the Criteria and Constraints
Criteria:
Eco-friendliness: Reduced materials that we cannot recycle.
Performance: Make the batteries last longer.
Constraints: Not knowing what other minerals to use.
The costs for developing these batteries.
5. Evaluate Both Design Solutions
Make better Recycling Methods:
Pros: Reduces waste and resource issues and it might reduce the need for new materials.
Cons: Requires a lot of money to research and develop.
Use something other than lithium:
Pros: Reduces the need for lithium, and mining. Has the potential to find a renewable resource to use instead.
Cons: The new resource might not be as good as lithium.
6. Compare Data from Both Solutions
Make better Recycling Methods: The data can include how much lithium you can recycle, the cost of recycled batteries, energy used during recycling, and emissions.
Use something other than lithium: The data could graph energy lithium holds compared to other minerals, how long the batteries last, and production costs.
7. Decide Which Solution is the Best Solution
Make better Recycling Methods is the better solution because we can use existing recycling buildings, we would make these batteries have less waste, and we can use current technology.
8. Share What You Have Learned with Others
I have learned that lithium batteries have huge environmental challenges. Better recycling methods and research into other minerals offers choices for the future.

Quick Answers

1. What did you learn about your impact on the environment from doing your research?
2. Does each design method provide all the information I need to solve the problem?
3. Which features of each design method can I use to make one better design?
4. In what ways is my new design going to impact the environment in a more positive way?

Answer 1

### Quick Answers

1. **What did you learn about your impact on the environment from doing your research?**
From my research, I learned that the production, use, and disposal of lithium batteries contribute significantly to environmental degradation. Mining lithium can lead to soil and water pollution, habitat destruction, and increased carbon emissions. Additionally, improper disposal of lithium batteries can cause hazardous waste issues, while current recycling methods are not widespread or efficient enough to mitigate these impacts.

2. **Does each design method provide all the information I need to solve the problem?**
While both design methods provide valuable insights, they do not fully encompass all the information needed to address the environmental impact of lithium batteries comprehensively. The recycling method offers a pathway to reduce waste and improved resource management, but it does not tackle the origin of the problem related to lithium mining. On the other hand, exploring alternatives to lithium could lead to a potential long-term solution but requires more research and data to evaluate effectiveness and viability.

3. **Which features of each design method can I use to make one better design?**
I can combine features from both design methods for a more comprehensive solution. For example, I could incorporate advanced recycling technologies into the research process for alternative battery materials, ensuring that any new designs not only use sustainable materials but also take into account the recyclability of those materials at the end of their life cycle. This combined approach would allow for a seamless transition from lithium-based technologies while also minimizing waste.

4. **In what ways is my new design going to impact the environment in a more positive way?**
My new design, focused on enhancing recycling methods while researching alternative materials, will positively impact the environment by reducing the demand for lithium mining, leading to less habitat destruction and pollution. Improved recycling methods can recover valuable materials while decreasing the need for raw material extraction, therefore conserving natural resources. Additionally, by using alternative materials that are more abundant and less environmentally harmful, we can further lessen our ecological footprint, leading to a more sustainable future for battery production and disposal.