Lithium-ion battery breakthrough

South Korean researchers have created a material that allows lithium-ion batteries to hold more energy and charge faster. Anodes using manganese ferrite nano sheets can boost lithium ions by 50 percent


Lithium-ion cell

Manganese ferrite sheet: Just one nanometer* thick – increases surface area, allowing storage of more lithium ions

*One-billionth of one metre

Human hair: Average diameter of 50,000 nanometers

Fine beach sand: 90,000 nanometers

Anode: Most lithium-ion batteries have anodes of graphite covered in copper foil. Lithium
atoms are split into ions and electrons

Separator: Permeable insulator layer allows lithium-ions to pass to cathode

Cathode


Electrolyte: Fluid surrounds anode and cathode

Circuit

Negative terminal

Manganese ferrite anode


Lithium-ion cell: Cathode, separator and manganese ferrite anode are wound around central steel core

Circuit: Electrons cannot flow directly to cathode, but travel from anode through external circuit, generating current


Sources: Eurekalert, Financial Times, Science Direct
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