• Completed lab-scale trials of Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE) technology
• Achieved near-complete recovery of silver (>95%) in 30 minutes
• JESE preserves silicon wafers, creating a secondary value stream

Lithium Universe Limited (ASX: LU7) has reported the successful completion of technical validation trials on the Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE) technology, developed in partnership with Macquarie University. The JESE method has undergone rigorous laboratory testing to assess its ability to efficiently and selectively recover silver from end-of-life silicon solar cells. After just 7 minutes of treatment, 90.2% of the silver was successfully dissolved and separated, and extending the duration to 30 minutes resulted in near-complete recovery of over 95%. These recovery rates were achieved using dilute nitric acid and an applied voltage of only 5 V, demonstrating the remarkable efficiency of the process. Crucially, silicon wafers subjected to JESE treatment remained intact and uncontaminated, unlike conventional hydrometallurgical recycling which destroys the wafers. This opens the door to downstream processing of wafers into solar-grade silicon or conversion into nanosilicon for lithium-ion battery applications, providing a significant secondary value stream. The test results confirm the enormous potential of JESE, positioning Lithium Universe at the forefront of the rapidly growing solar panel recycling industry.

The company's focus on silver recovery is aligned with broader strategic objectives in the renewable energy sector. With solar panel waste expected to grow exponentially over the coming decades, the ability to recover high-value materials such as silver and silicon will be essential in reducing landfill, lessening dependency on virgin mining, and capturing billions in untapped economic value.