Lithium Universe (ASX:LU7) progresses silver extraction PV Recycling delamination testwork

Lithium Universe has provided an update on technical development activities associated with its Silver Extraction PV Recycling (SEPR) project, with current work focused on understanding the delamination mechanisms that enable efficient separation of photovoltaic solar panel components.

The latest work has focused on achieving more efficient and uniform distribution of microwave energy within the oven and across the solar panel, while temperature profiles have been measured and analysed to determine suitable heating conditions for effective panel delamination.

Highlights

Lithium Universe’s SEPR project combines Microwave Joule Heating Technology (MJHT), developed at Macquarie University, with the Company’s Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE) technology.

The objective is to recover valuable silver and other materials from end of life solar panels using a low energy, environmentally sustainable process.

Current testwork is examining the fundamental mechanisms responsible for delamination of solar panels.

The Company stated that conventional recycling methods typically rely on mechanical crushing, thermal furnaces or aggressive chemical treatments to separate panel layers, with these approaches often damaging valuable materials, increasing energy consumption and generating significant waste streams.

The MJHT process selectively heats the photovoltaic cell structure using microwave energy, softening and weakening the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant that bonds together the glass, silicon wafer and metallic conductors within the panel.

As the adhesive bond strength decreases, the individual layers can be separated with minimal damage to the underlying materials.

The Company has developed a scalable microwave oven distribution system designed to achieve uniform electric field intensity and consistent heat distribution across the entire solar panel surface during the delamination process.

The design incorporates a specially engineered microwave distributor, with electromagnetic simulations completed using COMSOL Multiphysics to optimise distributor geometry and validate field performance.

The simulation results demonstrated a highly uniform electric field distribution, providing improved temperature control and more consistent heating of the panel.

The Company stated this uniformity is critical for achieving efficient EVA softening and reliable panel delamination while reducing energy consumption and processing time.

The research program is focused on developing an understanding of the relationship between microwave energy input, temperature distribution within photovoltaic panels, EVA encapsulant softening behaviour and overall panel separation efficiency.

Laboratory testing, thermal analysis and electromagnetic modelling are being used to identify operating conditions that maximise delamination performance while minimising energy consumption and processing time.

The program also places emphasis on maintaining the structural integrity of silicon solar cells and silver bearing conductive contacts, as these components represent the primary sources of value for downstream metal recovery and recycling.

Lithium Universe Chief Executive Officer Iggy Tan said,

“Understanding the delamination mechanism is a critical step in developing a commercially viable solar panel recycling process. By selectively weakening the EVA bonds and preserving the integrity of valuable components, we can create a highly efficient pathway for recovering silver and other critical materials.”

Lithium Universe intends to utilise the findings from these studies to refine process parameters, optimise equipment design and improve material recovery efficiencies across the entire recycling flowsheet.

The results will also provide critical engineering data for the design and operation of future pilot scale facilities and support the commercial development of the Silver Extraction PV Recycling (SEPR) project technology platform.

The latest update outlines technical development activities associated with the SEPR project, with the Company continuing work on process parameters, equipment design and material recovery efficiencies across the recycling flowsheet.