Automatic magnetic impurity sample isolation

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to separate ferromagnetic impurities from bulk battery materials. In an illustrative example, a ferromagnetic impurity separation system (FISS) may receive a sample vessel including an enclosed sample of bulk battery materials. The FISS, for example, may include a variable magnetic flux generator (e.g., an electromagnet) disposed at a position separated from the sample vessel. The FISS may also include an agitation unit having a translational motor and a rotational motor configured to rotate the sample vessel about a central axis, and to translate a position of the central axis of the sample vessel. For example, in an operation mode, the variable magnetic flux generator and the agitation unit may apply a predetermined magnetic flux, a predetermined angular velocity and a predetermined velocity to the sample vessel. Various embodiments may advantageously separate ferromagnetic impurities from the enclosed sample concisely without contaminating the sample.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.