Nanowires have long been sought for use in batteries, but their durability has been a major obstacle.

A UCI team, led by Chemistry Ph.D. candidate Mya Le Thai, had an incredible breakthrough, overcoming this obstacle through a combination of hard work and serendipity while experimenting with nanowire coating. The discovery, which has garnered international attention in both scientific circles and popular culture, moves us closer to a day when batteries might not need replacement. In particular, the breakthrough holds promise for commercial batteries used in computers, smartphones, appliances, cars, and spacecraft.