Researchers supercharge lithium batteries (Boston)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers report that they’ve found a way to produce a tenfold increase in the power from lithium ion batteries.

The researchers found that using carbon nanotubes for one of the battery’s electrodes could produce the power increase, according to a paper published Sunday in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

The electrodes might find applications in small portable devices, and with further research might also lead to improved batteries for larger, more power-hungry applications, the researchers report.

The findings were made by a team led by Yang Shao-Horn, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering, in collaboration with Paula Hammond, Bayer chair professor of chemical engineering. The lead authors are chemical engineering doctoral student Seung Woo Lee and postdoctoral researcher Naoaki Yabuuchi.

Read more in Mass High Tech.