Tin is better than graphite but not as good as silicon at holding onto the lithium ions.

FORBES: Tin: The Secret To Improving Lithium-Ion Battery Life

When you use a battery, the lithium ions then move from the anode to the cathode and let loose of electrons in the process.

FORBES: Tin: The Secret To Improving Lithium-Ion Battery Life

Scientists have known that other materials can hold more lithium ions and increase the amount of energy that can be packed into a cell.

FORBES: Tin: The Secret To Improving Lithium-Ion Battery Life

When you charge a battery, lithium ions travel from the cathode to the anode, where the anode holds onto the lithium ions to store the energy.

FORBES: Tin: The Secret To Improving Lithium-Ion Battery Life

The resin within the carbon layers is laced with lithium ions, so that each layer acts like an electrode, causing the positively charged lithium ions to collect in one layer when a voltage is applied, and a current to flow when the sandwich is placed in a circuit.

ECONOMIST: Carbon-composite batteries