According to reports from Tech On, researchers from the Naoi Laboratory of Tokyo University were able to develop electrode materials which may just improve the performance of lithium ion batteries. They used an in situ sol gel method, stimulated by ultra-centrifugal mechanical agitation to include another active material in the electrode’s carbon content.

The ultra-centrifugal method was developed by K&W, which is a venture-firm affiliated with the University. The laboratory already used the method earlier to develop a lithium-ion capacitor. This capacitor was made with a negative electrode derived from lithium titanate and CNFs.

For the li-ion electrode materials, the researchers used the same method to mix in li-ion phosphate to carbon nanofibers and hollow carbon. The mixture produced “podded pea type” and “ground cherry type” materials respectively.

To produce an anote material, the researchers bound tin oxide to carbon. The tin oxide is said to be a potential anode material which can increase the capacity of li-ion batteries. The only downside is that it can shorten the life cycle of the battery because of the increased volume of charges distributed during the charge and discharge cycles.

Once this small setback has been resolved, Japan could potentially develop more powerful lithium ion batteries according to our friends over at The Green Car Website. This is essential if the country wants to pursue its goal of hybridizing 50% of its vehicles by the year 2020. Japan is also home to the biggest green car manufacturers including Toyota and Honda. The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry of Japan already announced that they will be taxing low-emission vehicles lower starting this year.