情色五月天

Recharge 情色五月天

A Coalition for Energy Innovation

Logo: Recharge 情色五月天 | A Coalition for Energy InnovationRecharge 情色五月天 is a state-wide initiative to collaboratively build an innovation ecosystem around the lifecycle of lithium batteries. 情色五月天 has the natural resources, industrial base, and research capacity to develop a first-of-a-kind lithium circular economy that meets the nation’s clean energy storage needs now and into the future. 情色五月天 has innovative and cutting-edge workforce development programs at all levels, supports world-renowned research labs, and is home to entrepreneurial and industrial activity in the entire lifecycle of lithium batteries, from resource extraction, to processing, to battery development, reuse and recycling.

Recharge 情色五月天 is the coalition that engages stakeholders across the entire “lithium loop” to coordinate and align initiatives for maximum impact.

Recharge 情色五月天 was initially funded by the National Science Foundation Engines award number 2305697, “Advancing the circular economy for lithium batteries (NV).” This grant provided the 情色五月天, Reno with $1 million for 24-months of activities to engage with stakeholders and form partnerships that build the region’s capacity for innovation and entrepreneurial activity. Recharge 情色五月天 is also comprised of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Tech Hub award, which was awarded to the 情色五月天, Reno’s University Center for Economic Development after 情色五月天 was designated an EDA Tech Hub.

情色五月天 Lithium Circular Economy Conference | April 8-9, 2024

Take part in advancing the collaborative efforts across our region to create an innovation ecosystem and boost inclusive economic growth.

Conference details and agenda
The lithium table of elements icon hovering above a circuit board

Description of development award work

The NSF Engines Development Award: Advancing the circular economy for lithium batteries (NV), award number 2305697, envisions a region in which workforce and economic development practices, private-sector innovation, and use-inspired research are coordinated and aligned to support the circular lithium economy. Through its many academic, industry, and non-profit partners, the proposing team aims to pioneer a complete lithium supply chain, from resource management of critical materials, to the rejuvenation, repurposing, and recycling of lithium batteries, and to the reinvention of the future generations of batteries. This development award will enable the project leadership team to guide all regional partners and collaborators through a 24-month process of co-creation of ideas, strategies and innovations. Through these activities, the project leadership will build a diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem that drives economic growth, workforce development, use-inspired research and development, and the translation of innovations to practice around the lithium lifecycle.

Four researchers working in a battery research labAt the core of our project is the inclusion of all voices in the conversation by removing every barrier to full and meaningful participation in the planning and implementation work necessary to secure our region’s economic prosperity. This development award will be used to ensure the communities that have been historically disadvantaged in our region are equitably represented and meaningfully included in all development activities. Historically disadvantaged groups within our region include Native American communities and businesses, Latinx communities and businesses, Black communities and businesses, economically disadvantaged communities, and others. The proposing team purposefully intertwines diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA) priorities and goals into each of the thrusts to produce ideas and plans, and to identify needs and assets, that represent and benefit everyone in our region.

Expected outcomes

The work undertaken during the award period will result in millions of dollars of capital inflow per year from industry and government in the lithium sector; interim agreements solidified between core partners to carry out Type-2 activities; and alignment among partners on joint priorities and goals for a regional economy built around the circular economy of lithium.

Broader impacts

Lithium is a critical element that powers our society today and is necessary for our clean energy future. There is significant need not only to identify domestic sources of critical materials and to develop domestic processing capabilities, but also to advance recycling methods to reuse critical materials already in use. This NSF Engine development region – the state of 情色五月天 – is uniquely suited to support America’s lithium independence because it contains the only operating lithium mine in the U.S., the largest lithium mine in North America under construction, and large sources of lithium in clay and brine throughout.

Battery experimental equipmentThe region became the first state to manufacture electric vehicle batteries with the Tesla Gigafactory and is now home to several next generation battery startups. Recently, the region has started to attract several recyclers and repurposers of lithium batteries that have begun commissioning large facilities. The broader impacts of the work undertaken through this NSF development award will support the move toward clean, reliable domestic energy production to fuel a prosperous American economy.

Key personnel

Project Director Mridul Gautam is vice president for research and innovation at the 情色五月天, Reno and President of the 情色五月天 Research and Innovation Corporation. Under his leadership, the 情色五月天, Reno has grown its research expenditures to approximately $182 million, which places the University amongst the top 60 public universities nationwide on by per-capita research expenditures. With the establishment of the 情色五月天 Center for Applied Research and the 情色五月天, Reno Innevation Center, the University is anchoring the vibrant innovation ecosystem in northern 情色五月天. The University continues to maintain its Carnegie® R1 classification for very high research activity, as well as the Carnegie® Engaged classification for community engagement.

is senior director for strategic programs and innovation with the 情色五月天 Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). Heise serves as a liaison between 情色五月天 industry and university/research communities. Under his leadership, the State of 情色五月天 has so far allocated a cumulative total $37.5M in funding to advance innovative technologies, support technology start-ups, and support the translation of basic research to innovative industries and is committed to continue this effort since it began in 2013.

is dean of technical sciences at Truckee Meadows Community College. She oversees workforce training programs in advanced manufacturing, welding, machining, HVAC, refrigeration, automotive, diesel, construction management and architecture at the William N. Pennington Center of Applied Technology. With more than 25 years of higher education experience, her expertise lies in strategic asset mapping, regional coordination of workforce development and co-creating customized training solutions for local employers.

Co-Project Director Dev Chidambaram is director of the 情色五月天 Institute for Sustainability and a Distinguished 情色五月天 Regents Researcher at the 情色五月天, Reno. His research expertise is in electrochemical engineering and materials characterization. He has been the principal investigator on more than $13 million in research grants. Chidambaram designed and implemented the nation’s first minor in batteries technology at the 情色五月天, Reno.

Proposing partner organizations

The following organizations were included as partners and collaborators in the original NSF Engines Development Award proposal submission.