These are independent reviews of the products mentioned, but TIME receives a commission when purchases are made through affiliate links at no additional cost to the purchaser.
For 30 years, graphite has played a key role in lithium-ion batteries, powering everything from small portable devices to electric vehicles. But now silicon is poised to take over, thanks to Sila Nanotechnologies’ innovative silicon powder. The California startup’s innovation took 10 years and 55,000 iterations, and has massive value for our battery-powered future: a silicon-based anode is about five times lighter and two times smaller than graphite-based anodes. That means smaller and more powerful batteries; Sila says its technology could increase a battery’s energy capacity by 20% to 40%. This year the company announced that it’s building a facility in Washington State to scale up production to support the auto industry.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- How Kamala Harris Knocked Donald Trump Off Course
- Introducing TIME's 2024 Latino Leaders
- George Lopez Is Transforming Narratives With Comedy
- How to Make an Argument That’s Actually Persuasive
- What Makes a Friendship Last Forever?
- 33 True Crime Documentaries That Shaped the Genre
- Why Gut Health Issues Are More Common in Women
- The 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024
