More and more electric cars are on the road in Germany – according to the statistics portal “Statista”, there were over 380,000 new registrations in 2024 alone. With the increasing demand, recycling the batteries installed in the cars is also becoming more and more important. This is the starting point for the research of Dr. Tannaz Naseri, who has been working at the Hamburg University of Technology as a fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation since March 2025.
Dr. Naseri has already completed a research stay at the TU Hamburg as part of her doctorate and has developed important results on the bioleaching of magnesium from used batteries. In 2022, the results were used for joint publications and Dr. Naseri's doctorate at her home university, Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran, Iran, on the topic of “Recovery of critical metals from spent batteries”.
“My current project also investigates the use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) for the efficient and environmentally friendly recovery of valuable metals from spent batteries,” explains Naseri. The aim is to close economic and technological gaps in current recycling methods. “By optimizing DES-based recovery, we can strengthen the principles of the circular economy and reduce dependence on primary raw material extraction.” In the long term, this research should conserve resources and sustainably protect the environment.
“I look forward to working with leading experts at the TU Hamburg, particularly in the areas of circular economy and sustainable materials science,” said Naseri upon taking up her post. ”The university's excellent research environment, access to state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary approach provide an ideal platform for me to further develop my work in the field of battery recycling.”
“Dr. Naseri will strengthen our institute in the field of recycling of critical raw materials (CRM) and will provide important impetus for the recycling of the new generation of lithium batteries,” says Prof. Kerstin Kuchta, head of the Institute of Circular Resource Engineering and Management and host of the Humboldt Fellowship. “The increasing global competition for raw materials demands their sustainable use and the realization of the circular economy in the short term. The use of deep eutectic solvents promises to make a relevant contribution here.” Naseri will conduct research in Hamburg for a total of two years.
About the funding
The Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowships offer outstanding researchers from around the world the opportunity to pursue a long-term research project of their own choice in cooperation with a research institution in Germany. Both postdoctoral and experienced researchers can apply for the fellowships, which run for six to 24 months.
