Images of the cathode and anode
University of Rome Sapienza (Italy) and Hanyang University (South Korea) have teamed together to research new advancements in Lithium-Ion batteries. They have increased the battery performance from 120-150Wh/kg to 170Wh/kg(at 4.2V). This was done through a new combination of materials in the battery. The anode is made of tin-carbon and the cathode is made from lithium manganese oxide doped with cobalt and nickel. Through lab studies the combination was able to reach 100% charge-discharge efficiency. Team researchers Jusef Hassoun, ki-Soo Lee, Yang-Kook Sun, and Bruno Scrosati believe this new chemistry is best suited for electric vehicles due to the higher energy density.
Scrosati elaborated, "The battery has a high volumetric and gravimetric energy density, a high rate capability due to the nano-structured characteristics of the electrode materials, an excellent cycle life, and low cost due to the use of electrode materials based on abundant elements." Read the report after the link.
Eavesdropper
Image via Jusef Hassoun, et al. 
2011 American Chemical Society
2011 American Chemical Society
