PhD Oral Exam - Gary Vegh, Chemical Engineering

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

The rapid electrification of the global transportation sector has intensified the demand for lithiumion batteries (LIBs), prompting an urgent need to establish sustainable, traceable, and regionally resilient supply chains for battery materials. This dissertation presents a comprehensive multimaterial life cycle assessment (LCA) of three critical minerals lithium, natural graphite, and nickel focusing on their extraction and processing in the province of Québec, Canada. The goal of this research is to quantify the environmental impacts of producing batterygrade cathode and anode materials while identifying opportunities for emissions reduction, process optimization, and circular economy integration across the LIB value chain. Given that approximately 85% of current cathode materials originate from Asia, the work addresses a significant data gap by providing robust, North Americanspecific LCA inventories and impact analyses for a region increasingly targeted by OEMs, policymakers, and investors under frameworks such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy.