These possibilities may come closer to reality thanks to a new catalyst that could help unlock the enormous potential of lithium–oxygen batteries. Lithium–oxygen batteries, also known as lithium–air batteries, have attracted scientists for years because they could theoretically store up to 10 times more energy than today’s lithium-ion batteries. Together, they create tiny defects called oxygen vacancies and produce an electronic structure that allows oxygen reactions to occur much more easily. Although the immediate goal is to improve lithium–oxygen batteries, the researchers say the catalyst could also be useful in other clean energy applications. While lithium–oxygen batteries still require further development before they become commercially available, this new catalyst addresses one of the technology’s biggest obstacles.