Yet-Ming Chiang, one of a group of researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has successfully transformed lithium iron phosphate, a nontoxic and stable substance, into a conductive material that works just as effectively as the expensive, cobalt-based lithium used in lithium-based and nickel metal hydride batteries. In other words, adding a small amount of a metal-containing compound to lithium iron phosphate greatly increases lithium's ability to conduct electricity.

Most rechargeable batteries in portable electronics rely on lithium cobalt oxide as the positive electrode, and lithium cobalt oxide is expensive, thus the high prices for large-size batteries. This is an important breakthrough in rechargeable battery technology, and may provide extended battery life and more power density in high-energy products such as hybrid gas and electric vehicles, power tools and household appliances.

According to Dr. Chiang, "The raw materials that go into the compound are about ¼ of the cost of those for lithium cobalt oxide." The M.I.T. research will benefit large batteries that must store high battery power density, but research will continue to increase battery life for small space batteries, as well.