“Virus” and “tobacco” are not two words you usually think of in a positive light, but they could be the secret to making batteries last ten times as long.

Scientists have discovered that you can coat the virus rods with conductive materials and stuff them into a battery and make it work better. The rods bind to the electrodes and increase their surface area. With a bigger surface area, they hold more of an electrical charge, pumping up the battery life.

Perhaps a future where you only needed to charge a Kindle once a year could be not too far off.

How the Future of Big Tobacco Could Be Tiny Lithium Batteries [Fast Company]

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