Rechargeable lithium ion batteries are used to power a great number of gadgets. From digital cameras to cars, the ion storage packs are praised for their efficient energy dispensation and slow loss of charge when not in use. Now, they can be made more efficient, and affordable according to research from the US Department of Energy.

Theoretically, the lifespan of a rechargeable battery would be unlimited. The key players in their ability to supply electricity are the lithium ions because they are able to keep and transport electrons from one point of the battery to the other. The lithium ions stored within the battery will never diminish, thanks to the stable positively charged metal oxide cathode that keeps them at bay when there are no floating electrons to be had. However, constant charging can form deposits inside the battery’s electrolytes – the pool which facilitates ion transport. Over time, the battery cell’s capacity diminishes until it becomes too encumbered to deliver current.

Researchers from the US Department of Energy, led by material scientist Daiwan Choi, have found a simple one-step method that may allow rechargeable battery developers to manufacture more efficient, lower priced alternatives to the lithium ion-metal oxide electrode battery.

The suggested materials were highly unconventional, but they work. The scientists mixed the electrode ingredients with melted paraffin wax and oleic acid, more commonly known as soap, to create a framework for the stable and efficient flow of energy between the electrodes. The mixture was heated up to more than 400 degree Celsius (four times the temperature of boiling water), to fortify the electrode structure.

The resulting rechargeable battery performed so admirably, it hit the theoretical maximum for storage power at 168 milliAmp hours per gram, when it was slowly charged and discharged over a period of two days.

The one weakness of rechargeable lithium ion batteries seems to have been remedied. With this, rechargeable batteries may even become more common in a range of new devices that they were thought impractical for before. With their extended lifespan, it would be worth it to invest in such batteries for even simple electronic devices like flashlights and remote control.