"The worldwide push to advance

renewable energy is limited by the availability of vectors," says Banerjee in the team's paper, published Feb. 1 in the journal Chem, a new chemistry-focused journal by Cell Press. "Currently, lithium-ion technology dominates; however, the safety and long-term supply of lithium remain serious concerns. By contrast,  is much more abundant than lithium, has a higher melting point, forms smooth surfaces when recharging, and has the potential to deliver more than a five-fold increase in energy density if an appropriate cathode can be identified."
Ironically, the team's futuristic solution hinges on a redesigned form of an old Li-ion cathode material, , which they proved is capable of reversibly inserting magnesium ions.