Adding graphene doubles the toughness of a ceramic material used to make solid-state lithium ion batteries. The study wanted to see if infusing a ceramic with graphene — a super-strong carbon-based nanomaterial — could increase the material’s fracture toughness (a material’s ability to withstand cracking without falling apart) while maintaining the electronic properties needed for electrolyte function.

[Source: Brown University News. 18 June 2020. Kevin Stacey]