The Lithium-ion technology demonstrated by Tesla Energy's Powerwall battery is still the gold standard for energy storage.

However, new technologies are sneaking up behind. A team of researchers at Stanford University have designed a new 'designer carbon' that could benefit lithium-sulfur batteries.

The new designer carbon material could have a variety of applications. However, the Stanford University team adjusted on the energy storage potential, particularly in respect to lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries.

The new material is basically a synthetic form of bio-based activated carbon, which is a common material that shows up in water filters and deodorizers, among many other things. However, it doesn't show in energy storage devices.

Coconut shells typically form the inexpensive forms of activated carbon. It involves a lot of high-temperature processing and chemical finishing, which results in nanoscale pores. This provides it a high surface area perfect for storing electrical charges.

However, this natural form of activated carbon fails in terms of transporting a charge as there is little connectivity between the pores. Lead researcher Zhenan Bao described that there's no way to control pore connectivity with activated carbon.

There are lots of impurities from the coconut shells that get carried into the carbon along with other raw starting materials. As a refrigerator deodorant, conventional activated carbon is fine. However, it doesn't provide high enough performance for electronic devices and energy-storage applications. The scientists said that the research was published in the journal ACS Central Science. ?