By combining sulfur-coated hollow carbon nanofibers and an electrolyte additive, researchers at Stanford University have designed a battery that overcomes the limitations on lithium-ion batteries for use in electric cars and larger storage requirements such as the grid. The problem has always been that the energy density of these batteries is low when compared to their volume and weight. By coating the inner hollow of carbon nanofibers with sulfur and an electrolyte additive, the Stanford research team has been able to quadruple battery storage capacity.

Lithium-sulfur batteries have been tried before but the technology was prone to rapid failure from recharging. In creating a unique fabrication process in which the sulfur coats the inside of hollow carbon nanofibers, the sulfur is not directly exposed to the electrolyte solution and therefore does not dissolve into it rapidly reducing the battery’s capacity.