A study by University of Kentucky researchers is examining whether peach pits and walnut shells can be used to create cheaper, longer lasting lithium ion batteries.

The three-year project led by Jian Shi, assistant professor in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, will study whether lignin, a component of cell walls in woody plants and stone fruits, can be efficiently extracted and processed with silicon nanoparticles to form composite materials for battery electrodes. If successful, UK researchers are particularly interested in using the technology to produce batteries for cell phones and electric cars.

“The plant-derived materials could make these batteries last five times longer per charge than they do now,” said Shi. “It’s cool to think that we could convert lignin, a waste product from agricultural residue, to new materials that greatly improve battery performance.”

According to uknow.uky.edu, the project has the potential to greatly improve the economic viability of regional bioenergy systems and to generate extra revenue for US fruit and nut growers and processors.

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