ASU researchers are exploring new energy storage technology that could give the lithium-ion battery an even longer life. By combining a high-performance silicon electrode architecture with a room temperature ionic liquid electrolyte containing the new bis-fluorosulfonylamide anion, the researchers establish a highly energy-dense lithium-ion cell with an impressively long cycling life. In fact, it maintains greater than 75 percent capacity over 500 charge/discharge cycles with almost no wasted electrons.

“This study brings home the fact that energy storage technology still has a lot of room to run, with new technological changes coming at a fast pace,” says Dan Buttry, professor and chair of ASU's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “This is important when considering areas where storage is important, such as grid storage and electric vehicles.”