And the lithium–oxygen batteries could be the next big thing. Now, researchers at the Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan have developed a cheap, platinum-free catalyst that solves a major roadblock for high-energy lithium–oxygen batteries. Lithium–oxygen batteries offer up to ten times the energy density of standard lithium-ion cells. However, these batteries remain stuck in coming to market largely due to sluggish oxygen reactions during charging and discharging. Outperforming noble metals Driven by the goal of solving the slow oxygen reactions that cripple lithium–oxygen batteries, Prof. Ishizaki’s team investigated combining two distinct materials into a single composite.