Lithium-ion is transforming the battery world as we know it, but apparently that's just the beginning. As we've noted in the past batteries using nanotechnology are slated to once again change the face of the industry as we know it. Now Silicon actually has the potential to contribute to the potential storage capacity of future batteries. Since silicon anodes have 10x the storage capacity of carbon-based battery anodes, it's simply a matter of manufacturing process to make a more practical battery electrode. The trouble seems to be the structure and properties of silicon, which tends to alter its size and break apart when large amounts of lithium ions transverse the material each time a battery is charged or discharged.

Now, a new battery startup company (a type of business that is becoming ubiquitous as more and more overseas manufacturers understand the need and pending explosion of battery technology here and abroad) says that it has mastered the solution to the problem of silicon anodes. Amprius has "nano-structured" the silicon electrodes - and apparently is successful enough to claim it is partnering with several major consumer electronics manufacturers and will bring products to market as early as 2012. That's a tall claim considering the new batteries would allow phones, portable media players and other battery-powered electronics to run up to 40 percent longer between charges.

Tech Note: When a standard lithium-ion battery is charged or discharged, lithium ions move between the cathode and anode, causing electron flow. If a battery can process or pass more lithium to the anode, the battery can store more energy - that equates to more run-time. A nice side-effect is that charging the battery can also be done more efficiently - and that saves time and energy as well. Traditionally, lithium-ion batteries use carbon for their anodes and the rate of improvement in the technology has been incremental at best.

With Amprius' new nanotechnology, the silicon anodes can be used by integrating nanowires and a reinforced metal core (kind of like reinforced concrete). As these nanowires pass lithium, they can grow and flex without breaking (overcoming the primary hurdle). According to what we've read, the use of silicon anodes results in roughly twice the storage energy within the same mass. Testing is still underway and the company is looking hard at the technology's use in electric vehicles (which will require more testing before approval).