Researchers unintentionally found a way to make lithium batteries refillable during studies into why and how lithium batteries deteriorate.
The researchers originally hoped to develop a longer-lasting battery, but discovered a chemical that could be used to refresh old batteries.
A lithium-iron phosphate battery with a 15% drop in capacity was refilled with LiSO2CF3 and jumped back to 99%.
Further tests kept the capacity at 96% after more than 12,000 recharge cycles, and the researchers suggest that the battery will have to be refilled periodically.
While the research is in its early stages, it could mean that consumers will be able to refill rather than replace batteries in the future.
This would provide longer-lasting devices as well as huge cost savings, and also be more environmentally friendly.
