That's according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in a report on research carried out by a team of engineers, mathematicians, and material scientists. Specifically, the study investigated the process of lithium-ion intercalation, the electrochemical schenanigans that take place in the batteries we use in watches, phones, and pretty much anything these days. When you charge up the batteries in such devices, lithium ions are driven from an electrolytic solution and jammed into a solid electrode by a voltage source. This process has been intensively studied over the years, and battery designers have typically resorted to using the Butler-Volmer (BV) equation to predict the behaviour of lithium-ion cells. It might not result in a quantum leap in charging rates or battery lifespan, but any improvements will surely be welcomed by any tech user.