Dr.Qi Li is a technology leader specializing in advanced hydrometallurgical recycling processes for lithium-ion batteries and critical materials recovery. With extensive experience in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery recycling, rare earth recovery, and impurity control in complex aqueous systems, Dr.Li has led the development and scale-up of multiple closed-loop recycling technologies from laboratory validation through pilot-scale operation. As Director of Technology at Austin Elements, Dr.Li has overseen the development of innovative recycling and purification platforms focused on reducing waste generation, improving process economics, and enabling battery-grade material production from recycled feedstocks. Her work includes phosphoric acid-based LFP black mass recycling, selective impurity removal, solvent extraction optimization, iron phosphate precursor synthesis, and integrated critical materials recovery systems. Dr.Li has contributed to multiple U.S. DOE-related programs and strategic industry collaborations involving battery recycling, direct lithium extraction (DLE), and sustainable materials processing. Her technical focus combines process chemistry, scale-up engineering, techno-economic analysis, and commercialization strategy to bridge early-stage R&D with industrial deployment. Her broader interests include sustainable manufacturing, circular-economy technologies, critical-mineral supply chains, and commercialization.