These are extremely tiny nanowires made out of lithium-ion phosphate. Scientists are experimenting with new techniques to make materials for future generations of batteries that will last even longer, be more powerful, and operate more safely. This particular type is a promising material for a part of batteries called the cathode. In fact, there are already electric cars on the road today with batteries based on lithium-ion phosphate. A lithium-ion battery (sometimes Li-ion battery or LIB) is a member of a family of rechargeable battery types in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge and back when charging. A nanowire is a nanostructure, with the diameter of the order of a nanometer. It can also be defined as the ratio of the length to width being greater than 1000. Alternatively, nanowires can be defined as structures that have a thickness or diameter constrained to tens of nanometers or less and an unconstrained length. Nanotechnology (nanotech) is the manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. This image has been color enhanced.