• Appointment of Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering expert Mohammadreza Hojati to the Macquarie University research team
• Focus on deep robotics and precision-control to help with silver extraction technology
• Strengthens the Microwave Joule Heating Technology (MJHT) and Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE) Technology PV Recycling team

Lithium Universe Limited (ASX: LU7) has announced the appointment of Mr Mohammadreza Hojati to the Macquarie University research team leading the company's photovoltaic (PV) recycling technology program, which encompasses the Microwave Joule Heating Technology (MJHT) and Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE) Technology for recovering silver from end-of-life solar panels. Mr Hojati's appointment marks a strategic strengthening of the team's expertise in mechatronics, robotics, and automation--key disciplines for maintaining the program's rapid development trajectory. A PhD candidate in Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering at Macquarie University, Mr Hojati brings more than 14 years of professional experience in mechanical and mechatronic system design, with advanced proficiency in brushless DC (BLDC) motor development, control electronics, PCB fabrication, firmware programming, and CAD-based prototyping. His doctoral research centres on creating energy-efficient BLDC motors and intelligent control systems for autonomous agricultural robots, combining high-precision motion control, low-current optimisation, and multi-sensor feedback. These capabilities directly enhance the precision, efficiency, and scalability of Lithium Universe's Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE) platform. By funding additional technical capacity through Mr Hojati's appointment, LU7 enables continuous experimentation on electrode-motion precision and electrolyte flow control, faster data generation for process modelling and pilot-scale design, and integration of control electronics with real-time monitoring of electric-field intensity and silver-ion concentration. The Macquarie University PV-recycling team, led by Dr Binesh Puthen Veettil and Dr David Payne, has already achieved a series of world-class milestones in collaboration with LU7, including preservation of intact silicon wafers, near-complete silver recovery exceeding 95%, and verification of near-Britannia-grade silver purity.

Lithium Universe is committed to ensuring that both its lithium and PV solar recycling strategies help meet the world's growing demand for clean energy, while offering a sustainable solution to the challenges of resource scarcity and waste management. The company plans to expand recovery to other critical metals, further strengthening its role in the global circular economy.