Lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO 2 ) has emerged as a potential new material to power next-generation, longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries. University of Texas at Dallas researchers have discovered why LiNiO 2 batteries break down, and they are testing a solution that could remove a key barrier to widespread use of the material. The team plans first to manufacture LiNiO 2 batteries in the lab and ultimately to work with an industry partner to commercialize the technology. To determine why LiNiO 2 batteries break down during the last phase of charging, UT Dallas researchers analyzed the process using computational modeling. “Then, we will scale up the material synthesis and manufacture hundreds of batteries per week at the BEACONS facility.